The Last Will Be First
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.” Matthew 20:28 · Berean Standard Bible
Jesus says, 'The Son of Man didn't come to be served, but to serve — and to give His life as a ransom for many.'
This is Jesus explaining why He's heading to the cross. He came to give, not to get.
Jesus describes His own mission in one sentence — and it changes everything about what leadership means.
Jesus doesn't just teach servant leadership. He lives it. He gives His life so that others can be set free.
Jesus grounds servant-leadership in His own example: the Son of Man came not to be served (diakonēthēnai) but to serve (diakonēsai) and give His life as a ransom (lytron) for many.
Lytron ('ransom') is a marketplace term for the price paid to free a slave; 'for many' (anti pollōn) indicates substitutionary atonement — His life in place of theirs.
Jesus presents His own sacrificial death as the ultimate model and foundation of servant leadership.
Jesus is not just teaching a leadership philosophy — He is the embodiment of it. His death is the supreme act of service.
26It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—
28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
29As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.
30And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Read all of Matthew 20 — Workers hired at day's end receive the same wage as those who sweated since dawn. God's generosity offends our scorekeeping instincts.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad