“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 20:28 Mean?
Jesus defines his own mission with a reversal: the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. The one who deserved all service chose to serve. The one who could have demanded everything gave everything.
"Not to be ministered unto" — Jesus had every right to be served. As the Son of God, he deserved worship, honor, and service. He waived that right.
"But to minister" — the word (diakoneo) is the root of deacon — a table servant, the lowest position in a household. Jesus defined his mission as servant work.
"To give his life a ransom for many" — the ultimate service: death. The ransom (lutron) is a payment to liberate slaves. Jesus' life was the price paid to free many from bondage to sin and death.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does Jesus defining his mission as service rather than being served reshape your ambitions?
- 2.What does 'a ransom for many' mean for the price of your freedom?
- 3.Where are you living to be served rather than to serve?
- 4.How does Jesus' example make downward mobility the Christian definition of greatness?
Devotional
The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. The one who deserved to be served chose to serve. The creator washed feet. The king carried a towel.
And to give his life a ransom for many. The service reached its climax at the cross. Not just daily acts of kindness — though those were real. The ultimate ministry: giving his life. The ultimate service: a ransom paid in blood.
A ransom for many. You were in bondage. The price to free you was a life. And the one who paid it was the only one who could — because only a perfect life could purchase imperfect ones.
Jesus defines greatness for everyone who follows him by redefining it for himself. If the Son of God came to serve, then no follower of his can claim the right to be served. The trajectory of the Christian life is downward — toward service, toward sacrifice, toward giving yourself away.
What does your life say about why you are here? Are you here to be ministered unto — to receive, to be served, to accumulate? Or are you here to minister — to give, to serve, to spend yourself for others?
The Son of man made his choice. What is yours?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And as they departed from Jericho,.... Which, was distant about ten parsas, or miles, from Jerusalem (i), through which…
See also Mar 10:35-45. Mat 20:20 Then came to him give mother of Zebedee’s children ... - This was probably Salome, Mar…
a ransom=the price paid for the redemption of a captive from slavery. For the thought cp. Rom 3:24; 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 1:19.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture