Bible Strands
Matthew 20:28
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His disciples in response to a dispute over who is the greatest among them (v. 27). He grounds His answer not in a new rule but in His own stated purpose.
The words — διακονηθῆναι (diakonēthēnai), "to be served," is the passive of διακονέω, the same root behind the title "deacon." The verse defines the Son of Man's mission in the language of a servant's role.
The thread — Luke 22:27 sets the same contrast between the one who reclines and the one who serves; Hebrews 9:28 and Titus 2:14 pick up the "for many" ransom motif.
Why it lands — It redefines greatness as self-giving service and stakes the Son of Man's life as the benchmark. A reader is asked to test their ambitions against that standard rather than against the world's.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.
- Hebrews 9:28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
- Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
- Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- 1 Timothy 2:6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- 1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”
- Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
- Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace