Matthew 20:24-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Authority Not the Way – Serve Others

Matthew 20:24-28 – Authority Not the Way – Serve Others

|| Mark 10:41-45; Luke 22:24-27

MT20:24 Having heard this the other ten [apostles] became indignant[1] at the brothers [James and John]. MT20:25 But Jesus asked the disciples to present themselves, then he told them: “You are aware that the non-Jewish rulers lord it over their subjects;[2] and, the ‘greats’ wield authority over others. MT20:26 Not so among you.[3] Rather, whoever wishes to be ‘great’ must be your slave. MT20:27 Whoever wishes to be prominent[4] must be your slave. MT20:28 Just as the Son of Humankind came not to be served[5] but to serve and to sacrifice his soul[6] [Isaiah 53:12] as a ransom[7] in the place of many.”[8]

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[1] Indignant: RHM: sorely displeased; RIEU: grumbled; PME: highly indignant. We can only imagine the jealous feelings of the others who had their own political ambitions, particularly Judas. Peter has already been given a special trust and he must have had his own feelings regarding this matter.

[2] Non-Jewish rulers lord it over their subjects: Or, KJV: the princes of the Non-Jews exercise dominion; RIEU: the rulers of the pagans exercise despotic powers; NOR: the heathen rulers are high-handed; NEB: in the world, rulers lord it over their subjects.

[3] Not so among you: Or, KJV: it shall not be so among you; KNX: with you it must be otherwise; BER: but among you it’s different. This is a command from the Lord that authoritarian tyranny will be absent from genuine disciples of Jesus. We find in Jesus the perfect example of a true leader within the Christian framework: a humble and loving model who asks nothing of his fellows that he himself will not do. Not once does the Nazarene take advantage of his followers by living a life-style better than they.

[4] Prominent: Or, KJV: chief; TCNT: first place.

[5] Came not to be served: Or, GDSP: not to be waited on.

[6] To sacrifice his soul: Or, KJV: give his life; NEB: to surrender his life. On the subject of “soul” or, PSYCHE see articles elsewhere: Where Are the Dead?

[7] Ransom: Or, WMS: ransom price; WEY: redemption price. Research the word ransom.

[8] In the place of many: Or, RHM: instead of many. See Mark 10:45; Romans 3:24; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:7, 14; Ephesians 4:30; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:15 {concerning redemption & ransom for all}.

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Preceding

Matthew 20:1-7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Kingdom and Vineyard Workers

Matthew 20:8-16 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Last, First; First, Last

Matthew 20:17-19 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Onward to Jerusalem!

Matthew 20:20-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Selfish Request Rejected