Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Study Note
Study Note
The climactic statement of discipleship theology in Matthew — 'the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many' — grounds the call to servant leadership in the paradigmatic action of Jesus himself. The term 'ransom' (lytron) is a commercial/legal term for the price paid to liberate a slave or captive, and 'for many' (anti pollōn) is a preposition implying substitution. The verse echoes Isaiah 53:11-12 ('bear the iniquities of many'), confirming that Jesus understood his death within the Servant-of-the-LORD framework. Its immediate context — the request of James and John for positions of honor — makes the christological statement simultaneously a definition of Christian leadership as self-giving service.
Other Translations
even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
even as the Son of Man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'
Even as the Son of man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for the salvation of men.
Cross References
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a …
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant …
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul …
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out …
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon …
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the …
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an …
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? …
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he …