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class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/20.htm">New International Version</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/esv/matthew/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." <a href="/kjv/matthew/20.htm">King James Bible</a> Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/20.htm">New King James Version</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” <a href="/amp/matthew/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].” <a href="/csb/matthew/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. <a href="/cev/matthew/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people. <a href="/erv/matthew/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. <a href="/gwt/matthew/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> It's the same way with the Son of Man. He didn't come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people." <a href="/gnt/matthew/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people." <a href="/isv/matthew/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> That's the way it is with the Son of Man. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people." <a href="/msb/matthew/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.? <a href="/net/matthew/20.htm">NET Bible</a> just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." <a href="/nheb/matthew/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." <a href="/wbt/matthew/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many." <a href="/web/matthew/20.htm">World English Bible</a> even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> even as the Son of Man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life [as] a ransom for many.” <a href="/blb/matthew/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." <a href="/ylt/matthew/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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.' <a href="/slt/matthew/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> As the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his soul a ransom for many.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> even as the Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a redemption for many.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/20.htm">New American Bible</a> Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Just as the Son of man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life as a salvation for the sake of many. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Just as The Son of Man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give himself a ransom in the place of the many.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> even as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His soul a ransom for many.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Even as the Son of man came not to be waited upon, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a> as the son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for all. <a href="/wey/matthew/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as the redemption-price for many." <a href="/worrell/matthew/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His soul a ransom for many."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>as the Son of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/20-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5869" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/20.htm">A Mother's Request</a> …27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28<a href="/greek/5618.htm" title="5618: hōsper (Adv) -- Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.">just as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: Huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">Son</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of Man</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To come, go. ">did not come</a> <a href="/greek/1247.htm" title="1247: diakonēthēnai (V-ANP) -- From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.">to be served,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/1247.htm" title="1247: diakonēsai (V-ANA) -- From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.">to serve,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: dounai (V-ANA) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">to give</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychēn (N-AFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">life</a> <a href="/greek/3083.htm" title="3083: lytron (N-ANS) -- From luo; something to loosen with, i.e. A redemption price.">as a ransom</a> <a href="/greek/473.htm" title="473: anti (Prep) -- A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.">for</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollōn (Adj-GMP) -- Much, many; often. ">many.” </a> 29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a> For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” <a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a> Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. ... <a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10-12</a> Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. / Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. <a href="/john/13-14.htm">John 13:14-15</a> So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. <a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5-6</a> For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, / who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time. <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a> He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” <a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a> I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. <a href="/hebrews/9-28.htm">Hebrews 9:28</a> so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him. <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Romans 5:18-19</a> So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. / For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. <a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a> For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. <a href="/luke/22-27.htm">Luke 22:27</a> For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. <a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13</a> Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. <a href="/galatians/1-4.htm">Galatians 1:4</a> who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, <a href="/ephesians/5-2.htm">Ephesians 5:2</a> and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. <a href="/titus/2-14.htm">Titus 2:14</a> He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.came.<a href="/luke/22-27.htm">Luke 22:27</a> For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.<a href="/john/13-4.htm">John 13:4-17</a> He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself… <a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Philippians 2:4-8</a> Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others… and to.<a href="/job/33-24.htm">Job 33:24</a> Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.<a href="/psalms/49-7.htm">Psalm 49:7</a> None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:<a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5,8,10,11</a> But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed… for.<a href="/matthew/26-28.htm">Matthew 26:28</a> For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.<a href="/mark/14-24.htm">Mark 14:24</a> And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.<a href="/romans/5-15.htm">Romans 5:15-19</a> But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/20-19.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/20-26.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/matthew/8-15.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/amos/5-12.htm">Ransom</a> <a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Redemption-Price</a> <a href="/matthew/19-25.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/matthew/20-27.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/18-31.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/matthew/8-15.htm">Served</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Life</a> <a href="/matthew/25-44.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/mark/1-13.htm">Ministered</a> <a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Ransom</a> <a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Redemption-Price</a> <a href="/matthew/22-14.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/matthew/23-11.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/matthew/21-34.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/matthew/25-44.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/mark/1-31.htm">Served</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 20</div>1. <a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Jesus, by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, shows that God is debtor unto no man;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/20-17.htm">foretells his passion;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">by answering the mother of Zebedee's children, teaches his disciples to be humble;</a> 29. <a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">and gives two blind men their sight.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>just as the Son of Man The title "Son of Man" is a messianic term rooted in <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a>, where it describes a figure with divine authority. Jesus frequently uses this title to emphasize both His humanity and His divine mission. It highlights His role as the representative of humanity and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.did not come to be served In the cultural context of the time, leaders and kings were typically served by others. Jesus contrasts this expectation by emphasizing His mission of humility and service. This reflects the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God, where greatness is defined by servanthood (<a href="/matthew/23-11.htm">Matthew 23:11</a>).but to serve Jesus' life exemplified servanthood, as seen in His actions such as washing the disciples' feet (<a href="/john/13.htm">John 13:1-17</a>). This phrase underscores His role as a servant leader, fulfilling the prophecy of the Suffering Servant in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>. His service is not just in word but in action, providing a model for His followers.and to give His life This phrase points to the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission. His life was not taken from Him; He willingly laid it down (<a href="/john/10-18.htm">John 10:18</a>). This act of giving is central to the Christian understanding of atonement and redemption.as a ransom for many.” The term "ransom" refers to the price paid to free a slave or captive. In the biblical context, it signifies Jesus' sacrificial death as the means of liberating humanity from sin and death. The "many" indicates the wide scope of His redemptive work, aligning with prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/53-11.htm">Isaiah 53:11-12</a>, which speak of the Servant bearing the sins of many.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ (Son of Man)</a> The central figure in this verse, Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," a title that emphasizes both His humanity and His messianic role. This title is rooted in <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a>, where it is associated with authority and glory. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching in this passage. They are being instructed on the nature of true greatness and leadership in the Kingdom of God. 3. <a href="/topical/r/ransom.htm">Ransom</a> The term "ransom" (Greek: "lytron") refers to the price paid for the release of a slave or captive. In this context, it signifies Jesus' sacrificial death as the means of liberating humanity from sin. 4. <a href="/topical/s/service.htm">Service</a> The act of serving others, which Jesus exemplifies and calls His followers to emulate. This is a key theme in His teaching and ministry. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_many.htm">The Many</a> Refers to those who benefit from Jesus' sacrificial act. It highlights the inclusivity and vast reach of His redemptive work.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/servant_leadership.htm">Servant Leadership</a> Jesus redefines greatness as serving others. In a world that often equates leadership with power and authority, Christians are called to lead by serving, following Jesus' example. <a href="/topical/s/sacrificial_love.htm">Sacrificial Love</a> The concept of giving one's life as a ransom underscores the depth of Jesus' love. Believers are encouraged to reflect this sacrificial love in their relationships and communities. <a href="/topical/r/redemption_and_freedom.htm">Redemption and Freedom</a> Jesus' death as a ransom highlights the liberation from sin and death. Christians should live in the freedom that Christ has secured, sharing this message of hope with others. <a href="/topical/i/imitating_christ.htm">Imitating Christ</a> As followers of Jesus, we are called to emulate His humility and service. This involves putting others' needs before our own and seeking ways to serve in our daily lives. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_worth.htm">Understanding Our Worth</a> Recognizing that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption should instill a sense of worth and purpose, motivating us to live for His glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 20</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'voice_in_the_wilderness'_mean.htm">Did Jesus come to serve or be served?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_atonement_theories.htm">What are the different theories on the atonement?</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_come_to_serve_or_be_served.htm">Did Jesus come to serve or be served?</a> <a href="/q/is_christianity_unique.htm">Is Christianity distinct from other religions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) Not to be ministered unto.--The words found a symbolic illustration when our Lord, a few days afterwards, washed the feet of the disciples who were still contending about their claims to greatness (<a href="/context/john/13-3.htm" title="Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;">John 13:3-4</a>); and the manner in which St. John connects the act with our Lord's manifested consciousness of His supreme greatness, seems to show that the words which we find here were then present to his thoughts. The Son of Man seemed to the beloved disciple never to have shown Himself so truly king like and divine as when engaged in that menial act. But that act, we must remember, was only an illustration; and the words found their true meaning in His whole life, in His poverty and humiliation, in the obedience of childhood, in service rendered, naturally or super-naturally, to the bodies or the souls of others.To give his life a ransom for many.--The word rightly rendered "ransom," is primarily "a price made for deliverance," and in this sense it is found in the Greek version of the Old Testament for "the ransom" which is accepted instead of a man's life in <a href="/exodus/21-30.htm" title="If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatever is laid on him.">Exodus 21:30</a>, for the "price of redemption" accepted as an equivalent for an unexpired term of service in <a href="/leviticus/25-50.htm" title="And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him to the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according to the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him.">Leviticus 25:50</a>, for riches as the "ransom of a man's life" in <a href="/proverbs/13-8.htm" title="The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor hears not rebuke.">Proverbs 13:8</a>. No shade of doubt accordingly rests on the meaning of the word. Those who heard could attach no other meaning to it than that He who spake them was about to offer up His life that others might be delivered. Seldom, perhaps, has a truth of such profound import been spoken, as it were, so incidentally. It is as if the words had been drawn from Him by the contrast between the disputes of the disciples and the work which had occupied His own thoughts as He walked on in silent solitude in advance of them. It is the first distinct utterance, we may note, of the plan and method of His work. He had spoken before of "saving" the lost (<a href="/matthew/18-11.htm" title="For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.">Matthew 18:11</a>): now He declares that the work of "salvation" was to be also one of "redemption." It could only be accomplished by the payment of a price, and that price was His own life. The language of the Epistles as to the "redemption that is in Christ Jesus," our being "bought with a price" (<a href="/romans/3-24.htm" title="Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:">Romans 3:24</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm" title="For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.">1Corinthians 6:20</a>), "redeemed by His precious blood" (<a href="/1_peter/1-19.htm" title="But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:">1Peter 1:19</a>), the language of all Christendom in speaking of the Christ as our Redeemer, are the natural developments of that one pregnant word. The extent of the redemptive work, "for many," is here indefinite rather than universal, but "the ransom for all" of <a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm" title="Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.">1Timothy 2:6</a> shows in what sense it was received by those whom the Spirit of God was guiding into all truth. Even the preposition in, "for many" has a more distinct import than is given in the English version. It was, strictly speaking, a "ransom" instead of, in the place of, (???? not ????) "many." Without stating a theory of the atonement, it implied that our Lord's death was, in some way, representative and vicarious; and the same thought is expressed by St. Paul's choice of the compound substantive ??????????, when, using a different preposition, he speaks of it as a ransom for (????, i.e., on behalf of) all men (<a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm" title="Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.">1Timothy 2:6</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 28. - Even as. Christ adduces his own example as a pattern of profound humility. To minister. By his incarnation Christ assumed the lowliest life of man. He took upon himself the form of a servant, and was ever active in ministering to others' wants, going about doing good, healing the sick, cleansing lepers, casting out demons; always accessible, sympathetic, merciful; never weary of teaching, however fatigued in body; a servant to the race which he came to save. A ransom for many; λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν: instead of many. The crowning example of his humility is that he gave his life as a ransom for the souls of men. This is the atonement, the sacrificial act, which (as the Mosaic sacrifices did in a partial and temporary manner) reconciled God and man. Whatever may be the way in which this atonement acts on the Divine mind, the expression here shows that it was vicarious and propitiatory, energizing, not by example, as an effort of superhuman self-denial, courage, and patience, but by an inherent power, as mysterious as it is efficacious. We can only say that, being the act of one who is God, its effects must necessarily be incomprehensible and infinite. The difficulties that beset this doctrine are increased by the fact that Jesus himself says little about the atoning nature of his sufferings and death - a topic which would not at this time have been properly received by friends or enemies, the former refusing to credit his approaching death, the latter being totally unable to conceive how such death could supersede Jewish sacrifices and reconcile the whole world to God (Sadler). Christ certainly died for all, as St. Paul says, "He gave himself a ransom for all (ἀντίλυτρον ὑπὲρ πάντων)" (<a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm">1 Timothy 2:6</a>), but all do not accept the offered salvation; hence arise the two expressions, "all" and "many," referring to the same object; "not," as an old Father says, "that salvation is limited, but men's efforts to obtain it are limited." The same expression was used by our Lord at the Last Supper, when he said, "This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (<a href="/matthew/26-28.htm">Matthew 26:28</a>). A comparison of the passages in which the death of Christ is connected with the salvation of men would show a similar interchange of terms, depending on the view which the writer is taking of the doctrine, whether an objective one or a subjective. In the former case we may cite <a href="/romans/5-15.htm">Romans 5:15</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/2-6.htm">1 Timothy 2:6</a>; <a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">1 John 2:2</a>; in the latter, <a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25, 26</a>; <a href="/ephesians/5-2.htm">Ephesians 5:2</a>. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/20-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>just as ὥσπερ (hōsper) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5618.htm">Strong's 5618: </a> Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Son Υἱὸς (Huios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. of Man ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. did not come ἦλθεν (ēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to be served, διακονηθῆναι (diakonēthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_1247.htm">Strong's 1247: </a> From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. to serve, διακονῆσαι (diakonēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1247.htm">Strong's 1247: </a> From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to give δοῦναι (dounai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. life ψυχὴν (psychēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. [as] a ransom λύτρον (lytron) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3083.htm">Strong's 3083: </a> From luo; something to loosen with, i.e. A redemption price. for ἀντὶ (anti) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_473.htm">Strong's 473: </a> A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of. many.” πολλῶν (pollōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/20-28.htm">Matthew 20:28 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/20-28.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of Man came (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/20-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 20:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/20-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 20:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 20:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>