Commentary on Matthew 20:28
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1. Context of Matthew 20
Matthew 20 unfolds as Jesus and His disciples make their final journey to Jerusalem. After predicting His suffering, death and resurrection three times (20:17–19), Jesus is approached by the mother of James and John, requesting pre-eminence for her sons in the coming kingdom (20:20–21). Their ambition sparks indignation among the other ten disciples (20:24), and Jesus seizes the moment to redefine greatness. He contrasts Gentile models of power (lordship and tyranny) with the upside-down ethics of the kingdom, where true greatness is measured by humble service (20:25–27).
2. Exegesis of Matthew 20:28
- “Son of Man”
Jesus adopts Daniel’s messianic title (Daniel 7:13–14), emphasising both His heavenly authority and His solidarity with humanity. - “did not come to be served, but to serve”
The Greek ἀλλὰ διάκονός (“but to minister/serve”) places Jesus squarely in the role of the lowest servant (diákonos). His incarnation (Philippians 2:6–7) was not a prelude to regal splendour but to self-emptying love. - “to give His life a ransom for many”
λύτρον (“ransom”) echoes Old Testament redemption language (Exodus 21:30; Leviticus 25:48–49). Christ’s death is vicarious and substitutionary—He pays the price that secures our release from sin’s bondage. The preposition ἀντὶ (“in place of”) underscores the penal‐substitutionary atonement: His life is offered instead of ours (1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:18–19).
3. Theological Insights
- Sovereign Mission
From all eternity the Father “determined” Christ’s coming (Ephesians 3:11) and “delivered” Him up according to the “eternal purpose” (Acts 2:23), ensuring every ransomed soul will be saved. - Penal Substitutionary Atonement
The ransom motif attends closely to God’s justice: infinite holiness demands full satisfaction for sin (Romans 3:25–26). Christ endures the curse so we might live. - Servant-King (Christ’s Threefold Office)
Christ is Prophet (Matthew 20:18), Priest (20:28), and King (Daniel 7:14). His priestly work—ransom—derives from His priestly servant-heart. - Union with Christ
Believers share in His servanthood by faith (2 Corinthians 5:14). We are “buried” with Him in baptism into a life of sacrificial service (Romans 6:3–4). - Particular Redemption
While “many” can sound broad, Matthew 20:28 reflects distributed grace to all the elect, echoing particularism (Christ’s death secures the redemption of those given to Him by the Father).
4. Application to Modern Christian Living
- Servant-Leadership in Church and Home
- Elders and deacons “lead by example” (1 Peter 5:2–3).
- Husbands and wives serve one another sacrificially (Ephesians 5:21–33), modelling Christ’s service.
- Workplace as Vineyard
- Every Christian vocation—paid or volunteer—is ministry. We “serve” colleagues and clients in love (Colossians 3:23–24).
- Success is not measured by status but by faithful service.
- Humility and Self-Denial
- Philippians 2:5–8 summons us to adopt Christ’s mindset of humility.
- Genuine discipleship entails daily cross-bearing (Luke 9:23)—we “give our lives as a ransom” by laying down our rights for others.
- Gospel Witness
- A serving church testifies to Christ’s love more loudly than words (1 John 3:17–18).
- Social engagement and mercy ministry flow from the ransom we’ve received, not from ambition or entitlement.
5. The Teaching of Matthew 20:28
Matthew 20:28 teaches that true greatness in God’s kingdom is rooted not in power or privilege but in self-giving service, modelled supremely by Christ’s ransom‐bearing death. We are called to pattern our lives on the Servant-King, offering our time, gifts and even our reputations as living ransoms for the sake of others.
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