“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”– Matthew 20:28 (KJV)
“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.”– Matthew 20:28 (NLT)
“That’s what the Son of Man has done. He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.”– Matthew 20:28 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 20:28 Mean?
Matthew 20:28 paints a profound picture of service and sacrifice. It tells us not only who Jesus is, but also what He came to do. In this verse, we see that Jesus, referred to as the Son of Man, did not come to seek service but rather to serve. This presents a powerful reversal of the expectations of many. In our world, power often seeks to be served, but Jesus instead modeled humility and servanthood. He demonstrates through His actions that true greatness lies in serving others.
When we think of rulers and leaders, they are typically seen enjoying privileges and honor from those they lead. However, Jesus flips this common thought on its head. He came to our world not as a majestic king demanding allegiance, but as a humble servant. And in doing so, He set an incredible example for us, showing that leading by serving is the highest form of leadership. This verse sums up His mission, emphasizing that He came to give His life as a ransom for many. This part of the verse speaks of His sacrificial love and the purpose of His coming—He came to rescue us, to set us free from the bondage of sin, and to offer us eternal life through His sacrifice.
Matthew 20:28 Explanation and Commentary
In Matthew 20:28, we have a clear declaration of Jesus’ mission and purpose. The title “Son of Man” is significant; it echoes themes from both the Old Testament and His role in the New Testament. It implies His humanity, yet also hints at His divine authority and mission. He is both God and man, coming to influence us in His humble way.
When we hear that Jesus “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” we understand that His life was characterized by service. He continuously served others during His earthly ministry, whether healing the sick, feeding the hungry, or often spending time with those marginalized by society. This teaching disrupts the ingrained societal value of seeking personal gain and honor, instead teaching us the importance of selflessness.
We also read that Jesus came “to give His life a ransom for many.” Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. The word “ransom” refers to the price paid to liberate someone from captivity or punishment. Think about the weight of that! We were held captive by sin and death, and Jesus stepped in to pay our ransom. This price was His life, which He willingly gave on the cross so that we can have a relationship with God. The depth of His love is unfathomable, and it serves as a reminder of our worth; we are worth more than we can imagine to Him.
Isaiah 53:5 reinforces this idea, saying, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” When we reflect on this truth, we see how desperately we need His grace in our lives. When we acknowledge our need for Him, we can be transformed into those who serve as He did.
Context of Matthew 20:28
Understanding Matthew 20:28 requires looking at its broader context. Prior to this verse, Jesus shares a parable about the workers in the vineyard, illustrating the generous nature of God’s grace. Some workers grumbled about receiving the same payment as others who worked fewer hours. Jesus uses this parable to teach us about God’s kingdom, where grace and reward come not from our efforts but from God’s abundant love.
In the verses leading up to 20:28, the disciples are grappling with ideas of hierarchy and who will hold positions of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. James and John’s mother even requests that her sons sit at Jesus’ right and left in glory. Jesus uses this moment to correct their misperceptions of greatness. His response points to service as the measure of true greatness. This context brings forth the underlying message in Matthew 20:28, emphasizing that the kingdom of God operates on principles that differ from earthly standards.
By situating this verse within the context of discipleship and the upcoming sacrifice, we see how Jesus prepared His followers for His impending crucifixion. As He spoke to them, He was pointing them towards a new way of living, one marked by humility, service, and selflessness. These profound teachings would carry immense weight in the life of the early church and continue to resonate with us today. Jesus was not merely teaching about serving; He demonstrated it with His life, and ultimately, with His death on the cross.
The disciples were faced with the reality of what their Savior would soon endure, and in that, they are shown the heights of His love—one that was willing to be poured out for them. Our call is to accept this love and grace and, in turn, reflect it to the world around us.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 20:28
Let’s unpack some essential elements of Matthew 20:28 further. The first key concept is “Son of Man.” This title signifies both humility and divine authority. It connects Jesus to His humanity, showing us He understands our struggles and pains. Also, it establishes His authority as the one sent by God. Through His dual nature, we see that Jesus was both relatable and far greater than any human leader.
Next, we see “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” This highlights the act of serving. Jesus didn’t come to have people cater to His needs; instead, He devoted His life to others. For us, this points to what discipleship should look like. We are called to serve one another, placing others’ needs above our own.
The phrase “to give his life” is also significant. Jesus’ willingness to lay down His life is the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. In John 15:13, we read, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” His sacrifice makes it possible for us to be reconciled with God and experience spiritual freedom.
Finally, we come to “a ransom for many.” This captures the essence of salvation. Jesus’ sacrifice paid the debt for humanity’s sins, allowing us to be liberated from captivity. This act of grace is available to everyone who believes, highlighting God’s desire for all to come to Him, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9 where it states God is not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 20:28
One of the critical lessons we can take from Matthew 20:28 is that greatness is found in servanthood. We are constantly influenced by societal notions of prestige and honor. However, Jesus redefines what it means to be truly great. It is our role to elevate others, serve those in need, and be a blessing as He was. We should be more focused on helping others rather than seeking to be served ourselves. By doing life together, we honor those around us and fulfill our call as followers of Christ.
Another essential takeaway is the cost of discipleship. Jesus lived a life of sacrifice, calling us to do the same. Discipleship requires us to lay aside our desires and ambitions for the sake of the kingdom of God. It’s about surrendering our lives, just as Jesus surrendered His life for us. This challenge is evident in Luke 9:23, where Jesus instructs His followers, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Following Jesus is not always easy, but the rewards that come from serving are immeasurable.
The verse also teaches us about the depth of God’s love. His willingness to give His life as a ransom for many illustrates the lengths He goes for our salvation. Knowing this profound truth can transform how we view ourselves and others. If God loves us this much, we should extend that love to those around us. It encourages us to be more forgiving of ourselves and others, reflecting Christ’s love more authentically in our interactions.
Finally, we are reminded to look at our own attitudes towards service. Are we willing to help others? How can we better serve our communities? In serving others, we emulate Christ’s character, allowing us to be vessels for His love. Jesus’ life encourages us to actively seek out opportunities to serve, whether through volunteering, helping friends, or assisting those in need. We should live life with open hands and hearts, allowing ourselves to be shaped into servants of Christ.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 20:28 holds a powerful message about the heart of Jesus and His mission on Earth. He modeled servanthood and sacrifice in a world that often values power and status. Every detail in this verse reveals the selfless nature of our Savior and calls us to reflect that same attitude in our lives. As we grasp this message, we grow in our understanding of the true beauty and strength found in service.
Let us remember that following Jesus means practicing humility and loving those around us through selfless acts of service. May we recognize our worth in Christ and respond by sharing that love with everyone we meet. We encourage everyone to explore more about the example of Christ in other passages, such as Matthew 11 or go back to the beginning in Genesis, where the foundations of our faith are laid. Our journey in service and love continues as we follow in His footsteps.