Matthew 20:26 Meaning and Explanation
“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus declares it must not be so among his followers; whoever wants to be great must become a servant.
What Does Matthew 20:26 Mean?
With a decisive but it shall not be so among you, Jesus sets His community apart from the world's way. Then He gives the new measure of greatness: whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, that is, your servant. The path upward in His kingdom runs downward into service of others.
This single sentence overturns every instinct the disciples had been showing. Greatness is not abolished, but it is utterly redefined. It is no longer about who is served but about who serves. The one who pours himself out for others, who takes the lowest place to lift up his brothers, is counted truly great in the eyes of Christ. The vineyard of the kingdom is tended not by lords but by ministers, and its honors belong to the humble of heart.
Matthew 20:26 in the Original Language
diakonos (διάκονος), 'minister' -- one who serves, an attendant who waits upon others' needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:26
What does Matthew 20:26 mean?
Jesus declares it must not be so among his followers; whoever wants to be great must become a servant.