Matthew 20 26

Matthew 20:26 kjv

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

Matthew 20:26 nkjv

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

Matthew 20:26 niv

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

Matthew 20:26 esv

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Matthew 20:26 nlt

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,

Matthew 20 verses

Matthew 20 26 Meaning

Matthew 20:26 profoundly states that true greatness within the Kingdom of God is redefined from worldly standards of power and dominance to humble, selfless service. It contrasts the hierarchical and authoritative structures of Gentile rule with an inverted model where those desiring prominence among believers must willingly become servants to all. This principle emphasizes humility and active ministration as the pathway to honor in God's eyes, not worldly ambition or status.

Matthew 20 26 Context

Matthew 20:26 comes as a direct response to a pivotal moment within Jesus' ministry leading up to His passion. In Matthew 20:20, the mother of James and John approaches Jesus, seeking a position of honor for her sons—to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom. This request reveals a misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom, projecting earthly ambitions for power and prestige onto a divine realm. When the other ten disciples hear of this, they are indignant, not because they reject the concept of hierarchy, but likely because they themselves harbored similar worldly ambitions for top positions. Jesus uses this contentious situation as a teaching opportunity, contrasting the prevailing worldly view of leadership, which seeks dominance and benefits for itself, with the counter-cultural ethos of His Kingdom. He explains that Gentile rulers lord their power over their subjects and exercise authority for self-aggrandizement. In direct opposition to this, Jesus establishes a foundational principle for His followers, particularly for those who aspire to leadership or greatness, redirecting their focus from ruling to serving, and from being served to serving others. This teaching is a culmination of earlier lessons on humility and echoes the ultimate example of servanthood Jesus himself would demonstrate through His passion and sacrifice.

Matthew 20 26 Word analysis

• It shall not be so: (οὐχ οὕτως ἔσται – ouch houtōs estai)
  • "οὐχ" (ouch): The strong Greek negation, meaning "not" or "by no means." It conveys an emphatic rejection.
  • "οὕτως" (houtōs): "In this way," "thus," referring to the manner of Gentile rulers described just before in verse 25 (lording over and exercising authority).
  • "ἔσται" (estai): "It will be," or "it shall be," an emphatic future or normative statement.
  • Significance: This phrase represents a categorical denouncement of the worldly, pagan model of leadership and ambition as unsuitable for Christ's followers. It marks a clear departure and presents a radical, counter-cultural standard for those in His community. It is a polemic against the pervasive Greco-Roman imperial power structures where leadership was about dominance and control.
• among you: (ἐν ὑμῖν – en hymin)
  • "ἐν" (en): "In," "among."
  • "ὑμῖν" (hymin): "You" (plural, dative case), referring to the disciples, and by extension, all followers of Christ.
  • Significance: Specifies the community or sphere where this new principle applies—the body of believers, the church. It distinguishes Christian practice from external, non-Christian practices.
• but: (ἀλλ’ – all’)
  • "ἀλλ’" (all’): A strong adversative conjunction, "but," "rather."
  • Significance: Introduces a stark contrast, presenting the alternative and proper way within the Christian community after negating the worldly way.
• whoever would be great: (ὃς δ’ ἂν θέλῃ ἐν ὑμῖν μέγας γενέσθαι – hos d' an thelē en hymin megas genesthai)
  • "ὃς δ’ ἂν" (hos d’ an): "Whoever," "whoever should." Introduces a conditional, generalizing statement.
  • "θέλῃ" (thelē): "May desire," "would wish." It acknowledges the human desire for significance and influence. Jesus doesn't condemn the desire to be "great" but redirects its manifestation.
  • "μέγας" (megas): "Great," "large," "important." In a secular sense, it denotes high rank, power, or renown.
  • "γενέσθαι" (genesthai): "To become," "to be." It emphasizes a transformative process or active choice.
  • Significance: Jesus acknowledges the inherent human ambition for importance. He isn't condemning the desire for greatness itself but radically redefines the path to achieving it within His Kingdom. The ambition is repurposed for Kingdom values.
• among you: (ἐν ὑμῖν – en hymin)
  • Significance: Repeats for emphasis, underlining that this redefinition of greatness is specific to the community of believers, where the desire for prominence should be channelled differently.
• must be: (ἔσται / γένεσθαι - implied from preceding phrase; the outcome is necessary)
  • Significance: The language here implies a necessity and consequence. It's not an optional suggestion but a prerequisite for authentic greatness within the Kingdom context. This is a divine imperative, a condition for discipleship.
• your servant: (ὑμῶν διάκονος – hymōn diakonos)
  • "ὑμῶν" (hymōn): "Your" (genitive plural), referring to the disciples, meaning servant to you.
  • "διάκονος" (diakonos): "Servant," "minister," "table waiter." Unlike doulos (slave, bondservant) which implies ownership, diakonos implies active service, one who executes commands or serves others directly, often implying initiative and diligent application in meeting needs. It is the root for the English word "deacon."
  • Significance: This is the core of the redefinition. True greatness is found not in being served but in active, humble service to others. It’s a complete inversion of worldly values. This term profoundly shapes the understanding of ministry and leadership in the church, making it primarily about ministering to others' needs, reflecting Christ's own example.

Matthew 20 26 Bonus section

The concept of diakonia (service) expressed in this verse is not merely about performing tasks but embodies a mindset of humility and self-giving. This isn't a demotion for those who lead, but a re-orientation of leadership. Leaders in God's Kingdom are distinguished not by how many people serve them, but by how many people they serve. This teaching inherently functions as a strong corrective to the pervasive human tendency towards self-interest and dominance, which Jesus directly witnessed among His own disciples even while on the path to Jerusalem. The mother of James and John (and their subsequent indignation from the others) starkly illustrates that even those closest to Jesus could initially miss the radically inverted values of His Kingdom. Jesus consistently had to counter these earthly aspirations, redirecting His disciples to His own model of servanthood which would ultimately culminate in the cross, the ultimate act of diakonia. This call to servanthood establishes a spiritual authority based on Christ-like character and humble outreach, rather than coercive power.

Matthew 20 26 Commentary

Matthew 20:26 encapsulates a radical Kingdom principle that overturns prevailing human notions of power and influence. While the world pursues status through domination, self-exaltation, and the accumulation of authority, Jesus definitively states that such a paradigm "shall not be so among you." For those within His community, the path to true greatness—greatness recognized and honored by God—is paradoxically found in the lowliest of positions: that of a servant (diakonos). This isn't passive submission but an active, self-giving commitment to ministering to the needs of others, imitating Christ who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). It demands a humility that prioritizes others' well-being over one's own gain or recognition, thereby manifesting genuine Christ-likeness and spiritual authority. This verse provides a timeless and foundational guide for all followers of Jesus, challenging ambition to be channeled not into self-aggrandizement, but into dedicated, humble service within the Body of Christ and to the world.

Examples of practical usage:

• A church leader prioritizes meeting the tangible needs of the congregation (e.g., visiting the sick, aiding the poor) over maintaining formal titles or asserting control.
• A Christian seeking spiritual influence focuses on supporting and building up fellow believers and those around them rather than striving for recognition or accolades.
• A person with talents and gifts uses them to humbly benefit the community, reflecting the "diakonos" mindset rather than for personal prestige.