Matthew 20 25

Matthew 20:25 kjv

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Matthew 20:25 nkjv

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20:25 niv

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20:25 esv

But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20:25 nlt

But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 25 Meaning

Jesus exposes and condemns the worldly model of leadership characterized by domination and self-serving power. He contrasts this with the Kingdom of God's principle of leadership, which calls for humility and selfless service to others, turning the conventional understanding of "greatness" on its head.

Matthew 20 25 Context

This verse occurs immediately after the mother of James and John requests for her sons positions of prominence (sitting at Jesus' right and left) in His Kingdom. This reveals a profound misunderstanding among the disciples regarding the nature of Jesus' coming kingdom, viewing it through the lens of worldly power structures. Jesus' response, here in verse 25 and continuing through verse 28, directly addresses this ambition, confronting their earthly aspirations for greatness. He uses the Gentile rulers as a contrasting negative example, setting the stage for His radical redefinition of leadership within His nascent community. This event takes place shortly after Jesus' third prediction of His suffering and death (Matt 20:17-19), further highlighting the disciples' lack of spiritual comprehension.

Matthew 20 25 Word analysis

• But Jesus called them to Himself: Indicates an intentional and direct engagement by Jesus, gathering the disciples for a vital, intimate teaching. It suggests a patient but firm corrective action in response to their self-seeking desires.

• You know: This phrase (Greek: Oidate) suggests Jesus appeals to their existing, commonly understood observations of the world. He's not revealing a hidden truth about Gentile rule, but using their shared knowledge as a reference point to highlight a contrast.

• that the rulers of the Gentiles: Refers to non-Jewish leaders and governments. The term "rulers" (Greek: archontes) implies those holding significant authority and political power. "Gentiles" (Greek: ethnōn) represents the typical societal and political structures outside of God's chosen people, often characterized by domination.

• lord it over them: (Greek: katakyrieuousin). This verb is powerful. Kyrieuo means "to be lord over," but the prefixed kata- (down upon/against) intensifies it, suggesting oppressive, burdensome, and subjugating dominion. It signifies exercising mastery over others in a heavy-handed, self-serving manner.

• and those who are great: (Greek: hoi megaloi). Refers to the powerful, influential, or prominent figures within the Gentile (worldly) hierarchy. Their "greatness" is defined by the amount of power and control they exert.

• exercise authority over them: (Greek: katexousiazousin). Similar to the previous verb, exousiazo means "to exercise authority," but the kata- prefix again adds the sense of exercising authority oppressively, leveraging one's position or power against others for control or personal gain. It indicates authority used to dominate, rather than to serve or empower.

• Words-group analysis

  • "the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them": This parallel phrasing vividly portrays the standard operation of worldly power. It describes a system where status is gained by dominating others, and authority is wielded for self-aggrandizement and control. Jesus paints a picture of hierarchical structures built on force and superiority, fundamentally opposing the Kingdom ethic He is establishing. The repetition emphasizes the pervasiveness and unacceptable nature of this model.

Matthew 20 25 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial theological distinction regarding power and authority within the Christian community. It establishes a fundamental polemic against the adoption of worldly political models for the Church's internal governance or for the personal conduct of believers. Any hierarchy within the church must exist for service, not for the exercise of self-serving control. This principle applies not only to spiritual leaders but to all disciples, challenging any ambition for dominance or privilege. The emphatic use of kata- prefixed verbs underscores the exploitative nature of such worldly power, setting a clear boundary for disciples' behavior.

Matthew 20 25 Commentary

In Matt 20:25, Jesus critically analyzes worldly leadership. He notes how "rulers of the Gentiles" exploit their positions, "lording it over" and "exercising authority" in oppressive ways, characterized by domineering control for personal benefit. This stands in stark opposition to the core values of His Kingdom. Instead of seeking to be served, Christians, especially those in positions of influence, are called to be servants. This radical counter-cultural teaching defines true spiritual greatness not by power or prestige, but by humble, selfless service and a willingness to uplift rather than subjugate others.