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Explanation for:
Matthew
20
:
27
And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"When the other apostles were upset with them, he made the situation known to everyone, stating, “Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant.” This reveals that true power is accessible to all."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Due to their distress, the Lord, prior to any verbal encouragement, reassures them by summoning them and instructing them to approach Him. The two disciples, having separated from the other ten, stood closer to Jesus, speaking with Him privately. He then called the others so that, in addition to wishing to disclose what had been discussed in secret, He might also temper their anxious hearts. However, now the Lord does not chide the disciples as He did previously. In the past, He had brought children into their midst and instructed the disciples to emulate their innocence and humility. But now, in addressing them more sternly, He draws a sharper distinction, saying, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their nobles exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; instead, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave’ (vv. 25-27). Through these words, He illustrates that a craving for dominance is characteristic of the Gentiles. This tendency is indeed intense and often torments even the most esteemed, necessitating the strongest admonition. For this reason, He pierces their hearts, shaming their arrogant spirit by likening them to the Gentiles. He eradicates envy in some and pride in others, as if to communicate to them, ‘Do not take offense at those who seek superiority, for those who do so are often more humiliated than honored; they are the last. Our approach is different from that of the Gentiles. The rulers of the nations exercise authority over them, but in My kingdom, the last shall be first.’ What does Christ then do? He calls to them and says, ‘You know that the princes of the nations lord it over them.’ Since they were troubled, the Lord, recognizing their distress, calms them by summoning them and commanding them to come nearer to Him. And as before, He calls the others to convey to all what was shared in private, thus tempering their fervor. \\n\\nNow, the Lord does not admonish the disciples in the same manner as before. He had previously gathered in the children and urged them to model their simplicity and humility. Yet now, addressing them with sharper admonition, He says, ‘You know that the rulers of the nations assert their dominance over them, but among you it shall not be so: whoever seeks greatness among you must be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you must become your servant.’ These declarations highlight that the ambition for superiority is a trait exclusive to the Gentiles. This spirit of ambition is indeed overpowering; it is a persistent affliction of prominent individuals, necessitating a profound response. Therefore, the Lord pierces their hearts, revealing their shameful attitudes by contrasting them with the Gentiles. He eradicates jealousy in some disciples and pride in others, implying, ‘Do not harbor resentment toward those who seek dominance, for those who pursue such ambitions are themselves more embarrassed; they find themselves among the last.’ ‘We do not operate as the Gentiles do. The rulers of the nations dominate; but with Me,’ says the Lord, ‘the last is first.’ Further emphasizing His instruction, He adds, ‘Consider the example of My life: I have acted in accordance with My words. As the Sovereign of all, I chose to become human, to be disregarded and belittled; and even more, I embraced death itself.’"},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In light of this, He continues by stating, “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.\\" It’s as if He is expressing, I did not limit Myself to serving alone; I offered My life as a sacrificial price, and for whom? For adversaries. If you choose to humble yourself, do so for your own sake, yet I humble Myself for you. Therefore, do not be afraid of losing your dignity in this process. Regardless of how deeply you lower yourself, you can never attain the level of humility shown by your Master. Yet, this act of His humiliation transformed into exaltation for all and unveiled His glory. Before taking on humanity, He was known only to the angels, and when He took on flesh and faced crucifixion, He did not lose the glory He possessed but rather gained a new splendor, being revealed to the entire creation. Do not fear the loss of honor through humbling yourself; through humility, your glory will be raised and extended. It serves as the gateway to the Kingdom. Why approach the opposite door? Why engage in conflict with yourself? If your aim is to appear grand, you will fall short and ultimately be dishonored. Consider how the Lord consistently seeks to guide them with examples against their own inclinations, yet also provides what they desire. We have witnessed this repeatedly. This is the approach He took with those who are greedy and those who pursue vanity. “For what,” He asked, “do you perform acts of charity in front of others? Is it for the sake of receiving honor?” Abstain from this, and you will fully enjoy true glory. “For what do you amass treasures? Is it to enrich yourself?” Refrain from hoarding treasures, and you will indeed become rich. This is what He conveys here. “For what do you seek superiority? Is it to elevate yourself above others?” Instead, embrace the lowest position, and in doing so, you shall obtain true supremacy; if you wish to be great, do not pursue greatness, and then you shall indeed be great. True greatness is found in humility."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Christianity fulfills our longing for significance, but how does it achieve this? It does so in a manner that starkly contrasts with worldly values. If you aspire to be first, then become a servant to all; in other words, position yourself last among everyone. This principle is as crucial as following the Lord Christ’s example in shaping our lives and attitudes. The Lord states, ‘The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’ He exemplifies service, even taking the humble role of washing His disciples' feet, illustrating that there is nothing shameful in serving others. Strive to serve in every way possible; opportunities for service present themselves constantly: feed the hungry, clothe those in need, welcome the stranger into your home, visit the sick, and offer assistance to anyone in need. This extends not only to physical needs but also to the spiritual welfare of others: provide guidance, share wisdom, offer uplifting literature, and give comfort and encouragement. The spoken word is a potent tool for support; it connects souls and strengthens one another."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“Calling them”: In their moment of distress, the Lord first addresses their anxiety by inviting them and instructing them to approach Him. This command was directed at the two disciples who had separated from the others, allowing Him to engage in a private conversation. By summoning the remaining disciples, He intended to share the insights He had discussed with them, thereby alleviating the intensity of their emotions. The Lord articulates the fundamental ethical principle for the members of His kingdom, emphasizing humility and selflessness, which stands in stark contrast to the ideals of pagan morality. He notes, “With the nations, or in the world in general, it is so, that princes lord it over their subjects, and nobles lord it over their slaves. But in My kingdom it is not so: the greater and the first must be the servant and slave of all; must be conscious of himself as inferior to all, and must be ready for all self-denial.” This does not imply that the Church lacks structure or authority, as the Lord Himself bestowed a higher authority upon the apostles over other believers. Rather, His teaching highlights the moral essence of the relationships between leaders and those they lead within the Church. The Lord’s words illustrate that the desire for prominence is characteristic of the Gentiles, creating turmoil for both common and notable individuals alike and necessitating a profound transformation. By addressing their hearts, He humbles their pride and dispels their envy by contrasting them with the ways of the Gentiles."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Let it not be this way among you, for it will not be in My kingdom: whoever desires to be greater among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must become your slave, humbling himself before all and being willing to relinquish any sense of superiority, sacrificing his own interests for the salvation of his neighbor. St. Chrysostom explains that \\"the passion of ambition constantly afflicts great individuals,\\" and thus demands the mightiest defeat. For this reason, the Lord confronts them deep within their hearts, exposing the shame of their prideful comparisons to the Gentiles. He eradicates envy in some and pride in others. With Me, He asserts, the last shall be first. Look to Me."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Teaching on Humility The inquiry made by James and John sparked annoyance among the other disciples. Upon hearing their complaints, Jesus gathered them and explained: ‘You are aware that the rulers of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and their dignitaries hold authority (Matt. 20:25); however, My realm differs from worldly kingdoms. Therefore, if anyone desires to enter My realm, they must not behave in that manner: whoever aspires to greatness must become the servant of all, and whoever seeks to be first must take the last place and serve. I did not come into this world to exert lordship over people, nor to be served, but to serve others and to offer My life as a ransom for many. Similarly, if you consistently follow My teachings and fulfill My commands, do not let pride swell within you or elevate yourselves, for you will merely be fulfilling the divine will of God and undertaking the responsibilities He has entrusted to you."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After gathering all twelve of His disciples, Christ reiterated to them the fallacious nature of their perceptions regarding the kingdom of heaven. He further clarified its genuine significance, which stands in stark contrast to the earthly kingdoms."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The words of the Savior revealed to the sons of Zebedee that they did not fully grasp what they were requesting. This dialogue, though initially distant from the other apostles, quickly came to the attention of the ten, inciting murmurs and dissatisfaction towards those seeking superiority, which appeared to offend the others. In response, the Lord called forth those who were upset and clarified the essential principle of Gospel ethics—mutual love steeped in genuine humility: \\"Behold, the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever of you desires to be first shall be your slave. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.\\" With this teaching, Jesus addressed the disciples' ambitions at the very foundation, emphasizing that His mission was not about earthly power, but rather about suffering and sacrificial death for humanity’s sins. The Apostles needed to learn from their Master’s example that true glory comes from humility and selfless service for the benefit of others—glory that is profound and everlasting, rather than fleeting and superficial."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Although the Lord did not explicitly promise to grant the request made by the sons of Zebedee, their appeal sparked jealousy among the other apostles, who harbored resentment towards James and John. In response, the Lord summoned them and imparted a lesson on humility, exemplifying this essential virtue through His own actions."},{"author-name":"Innocentius of Kherson","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d18072d36d1a976dd2c_Innocentius%20of%20Kherson.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Although the other disciples did not overhear this discussion, they quickly understood its nature. This sparked discontent and murmuring among them, not unfounded given their aspirations for prominence, yet ultimately futile, as they pursued what was unattainable. Peter, as prominent among Jesus’ followers as the sons of Salome (Matthew 19:27; Mark 10:41-45), had every right to share in this discontent but could not attain the level of humility where he sought not to govern over his peers. He was content with the Lord’s assurance that each disciple would be honored with a seat on a specific throne. The collective discontent among the disciples presented an opportunity for the Lord to impart a valuable lesson on humility and brotherly affection. \\"You are aware,\\" the Lord began, gathering them close, \\"that worldly leaders derive their authority from being served, honored, and exalted. However, among you—my disciples—this must not be the case; no one should seek honor that comes at the expense of another. If any of you aspires to be great, let him serve you. And if anyone wishes to be first, let him be your servant. Remember,\\" the Lord continued, redirecting their attention to a vital truth they had overlooked, \\"the Son of Man, who is worthy of all glory, did not come into the world to conquer nations and receive worldly accolades as many mistakenly believe. Rather, He came to bestow blessings upon others and to sacrifice His very life for the redemption of mankind. In this way, despite their inability to reconcile the dignity of the Messiah with the realities of His suffering and death, Jesus reiterated the primary purpose for His coming. Such frequent and emphatic reminders should have steered the disciples away from their ambitions forever; however, their deep-rooted expectations of an earthly kingdom for the Messiah lingered, preventing the crucifixion and resurrection from fully dispelling them. Even after the resurrection, when the Master first appeared to them, they questioned, “Have you restored the kingdom of Israel at this time?” Only the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost revitalized their spirits, eradicating their worldly misconceptions, allowing them to echo the sentiment of St. Paul by declaring, \\"Though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we no longer do so.\\""},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord summoned everyone to Himself and proclaimed that in His kingdom, there would be no superiority or authority akin to that of worldly realms. In His kingdom, the greatest is not the one who is served by all, but rather the one who serves everyone. It is only through this standard of humility and love that one can draw near to Him, to be at His right hand and shoulder."}]}
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