Matthew 20:26-28 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

A ransom for many - Λυτρον αντι πολλων , or a ransom instead of many, - one ransom, or atonement, instead of the many prescribed in the Jewish law. Mr. Wakefield contends for the above translation, and with considerable show of reason and probability. The word λυτρον is used by the Septuagint for the Hebrew פדיו , pidion , the ransom paid for a man's life: see Exodus 21:30 ; Numbers 3:49-51 ; and λυτρα is used Numbers 35:31 , where a satisfaction (Hebrew כפר copher , an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:26

Verse 26 26.It shall not be so among you. There can be no doubt that Christ refers to the foolish imagination by which he saw that the apostles were deceived. “It is foolish and improper in you,” he says, “to imagine a kingdom, which is unsuitable to me; and therefore, if you desire to serve me faithfully, you must resort to a different method, which is, that each of you may strive to serve others.” (666) But whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your servant. These words are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

Verse 28 28.As the Son of man Christ confirms the preceding doctrine by his own example; for he voluntarily took upon himself the form of a servant, and emptied himself, as Paul also informs us, (Philippians 2:7.) To prove more clearly how far he was from indulging in lofty views, he reminds them of his death. “Because I have chosen you to the honor of being near me, you are seized by a wicked ambition to reign. But I — by whose example you ought to regulate your life — came not to exalt... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Ambitious request of the mother of the sons of Zebedee . ( Mark 10:35-45 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Salome and her sons. I. THEIR CONVERSATION WITH CHRIST . 1 . The request . Salome was one of the Lord's most faithful followers; she was present at the cross; perhaps she was his mother's sister. Her sons had been admitted into the innermost circle of the apostles; they with Peter were the three nearest to the Lord. But even the chosen three could not receive the Lord's predictions of his death. Their hearts were so preoccupied with thoughts of the kingdom, the twelve... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Salome's petition for Zebedee's sons. This strange petition must have operated in a twofold way upon our Lord. On the one hand, it must have made it more clear than ever to his mind that nothing but his death and departure from this earth could dissipate the hopes of an earthly kingdom cherished by even the best of his followers. On the other hand, it gave him a most melancholy exhibition of the kind of men whom he must leave behind him to found his Church. Yet in our Lord's reply there is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

Distinction in the kingdom. In the company of Jesus and his twelve apostles, as they went up to Jerusalem to the Passover, were probably other disciples, their relatives and friends. For here is "the mother of the sons of Zebedee," who came "worshipping, and asking a certain thing" of Jesus. The reply and discourse following show— I. THAT DISTINCTION IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST IS NOT THE DISTINCTION OF LORDSHIP . 1 . This is the distinction of earthly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25-27

True greatness. The daring request of the mother of Zebedee's children roused the jealousy of the other disciples. This was natural, and quite in accordance with the customs of the world. Nevertheless, Christ disapproved of the feeling. It showed something of the same selfish ambition that the two brothers had displayed. I. WORLDLY DIFFERENCES OF RANK ARE NOT TO BE ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST . 1 . The necessity of this rule . It springs from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:26

It shall not be so among you. There is good authority for reading "is" instead of "shall be." The new order of things was already prepared. In Messiah's kingdom a contrary rule holds good. There the governors rule solely for the good of the flock, with no self-seeking, and serving no private interests. Whosoever will be ( ὁ Ì ς ἐα Ì ν θε ì λη … γενε ì σθαι : whosoever would fain become ) great among you … minister ( δια ì κονος ). Taking for granted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

Whosoever will be ( θε ì λῃ … εἶναι ) chief ( first, πρῶτος )… servant ( bondservant, δοῦλος ). The characteristic of the Christian ruler should be humility. Christ enforces the teaching of the previous verse more emphatically by altering the terms in which it was stated. "Great" now becomes "first;" "minister," "slave." Of these two last words the former would imply rather occasional service, to meet some temporary call; the latter, the regular business of a... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:26

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 20:28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:20-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:25-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:26

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 20:27

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