Matthew 20:25-28
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Jesus calls out that the rulers of the Gentiles not only "lord it over" their people but also "exercise authority upon" them, using two distinct Greek words that emphasize not just ruling, but doing so oppressively and for their own selfish gain. He's highlighting that this kind of power-hungry dominance is exactly not how leadership in His kingdom should function.
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. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples, particularly James and John, are jockeying for positions of honor in Jesus' future kingdom, prompting indignation from the other ten. Jesus calls them together to correct this worldly ambition, contrasting the oppressive rule of Gentile leaders with the servant leadership he intends for his followers. He uses this moment to pivot to the idea of suffering and service as the true path to greatness within his kingdom.
Jesus points to the world around his disciples and asks them to observe how power works. What does this observation reveal about his kingdom?
Jesus uses the familiar systems of the Roman Empire and other Gentile nations to highlight a stark contrast.
Worldly Power Dynamics
Jesus isn't just describing political structures; he's pointing to a mindset of superiority and control that characterized worldly leadership. This is the exact opposite of what he intends for his followers.
Ambition for greatness is a powerful force. But Jesus redirects this desire, showing that true greatness in his kingdom looks radically different.
The disciples, including James and John who made the initial request, were deeply influenced by the desire for status and position. Jesus confronts this directly.
Redefining Prominence
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Understand the original words
ethnos · Greek Noun
A general term for non-Jewish people, or nations outside the covenant people of Israel. In the New Testament, it often denotes those outside the sphere of saving knowledge and the righteousness of God.
katakyrieuō · Greek Verb
To rule, dominate, or master someone in an overbearing or oppressive manner. It describes the exercise of power that is self-serving and devoid of the sacrificial love commanded by Christ.
exousia · Greek Noun
The power or right to act, command, or influence others. In the biblical context, true authority is derived from God and is intended to be used for the benefit and service of others, as modeled by Christ, rather than for personal gain.
diakonos · Greek Noun
A person who renders service to another; in a NT context, it often implies a humble position of ministry to others for the sake of the Gospel and the Kingdom.
doulos · Greek Noun
A person who is the property of a master, serving without personal rights; used metaphorically for a believer's total submission and devotion to Christ.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus to describe Himself, emphasizing His humanity while also referencing the apocalyptic figure in Daniel 7 who receives authority and glory from God.
lytron · Greek Noun
The price paid to redeem or buy back something from slavery or captivity; theologically, the death of Christ as the payment required to set believers free from the bondage of sin.
Jesus contrasts the disciples' ambition for power with the absolute, often oppressive, authority exercised by Gentile rulers, highlighting that his kingdom operates on a radically different principle of service, not domination.
c. 330 BC
Hellenistic Period Begins
Following Alexander the Great's conquests, Greek culture and political structures spread throughout the Near East, influencing local governance with concepts of dominion and hierarchical rule. This established a backdrop against which Jesus' contrasting kingdom would be understood.
c. 63 BC
Roman Rule in Judea
The Roman Republic exerts political control over Judea, replacing the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties. Roman governors and client kings, like Herod the Great, exercised authority, often with a clear demonstration of power and dominance.
c. AD 25-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
During this period, Jesus teaches and gathers disciples. The disciples' ambition for positions of power in his anticipated kingdom reflects the prevalent political and social understanding of greatness derived from Gentile rulers.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus' death and resurrection mark the foundational events of Christianity, powerfully illustrating his model of servant leadership rather than worldly dominion, directly contradicting the disciples' earlier ambitions.
c. AD 40-60
Early Church Growth and Challenges
The nascent Christian communities spread, facing internal disagreements about status and leadership, often needing reminders of Jesus' teachings on humility and service as they navigated developing church structures.
This passage shows the disciples arguing about who is the greatest, right before Jesus' arrest. It highlights the same worldly ambition that Jesus is contrasting with his own kingdom's values here in Matthew 20:25.
1 Peter 5:2-3Peter directly echoes Jesus' teaching by urging elders not to 'lord it over' their congregations. This shows how the early church understood and applied Jesus' principle of servant leadership.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage describes Christ Jesus himself, who, though divine, emptied himself and took the form of a servant, even to death. It provides the ultimate example of the humility and selflessness Jesus calls his followers to, in direct contrast to the 'lording over' of Gentile rulers.
John 13:14-16After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus explicitly states that they should do for each other what he has done for them. This reinforces the idea that true greatness in His kingdom is found in humble service, not in exercising authority.
barnesMatthew 20:25: "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."
But Jesus called them unto him - That is, he called all the apostles to him, and stated the principles on which they were to act. The princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them - That is, over their subjects. "You know that such honors are customary among nations. The kings of the earth raise their favorit…
henryMatthew 20:20-28: "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him."
20:20-28 The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort the disciples. Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a wrong purpose. Pride is a sin that most easily besets us; it is sinful ambition to outdo others in pomp and grandeur. To put down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings. It i…
Jesus calls out that the rulers of the Gentiles not only "lord it over" their people but also "exercise authority upon" them, using two distinct Greek words that emphasize not just ruling, but doing so oppressively and for their own selfish gain. He's highlighting that this kind of power-hungry dominance is exactly not how leadership in His kingdom should function.
The disciples, particularly James and John, are jockeying for positions of honor in Jesus' future kingdom, prompting indignation from the other ten. Jesus calls them together to correct this worldly ambition, contrasting the oppressive rule of Gentile leaders with the servant leadership he intends for his followers. He uses this moment to pivot to the idea of suffering and service as the true path to greatness within his kingdom.
The disciples, particularly James and John, are jockeying for positions of honor in Jesus' future kingdom, prompting indignation from the other ten. Jesus calls them together to correct this worldly ambition, contrasting the oppressive rule of Gentile leaders with the servant leadership he intends for his followers. He uses this moment to pivot to the idea of suffering and service as the true path to greatness within his kingdom.
"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. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,…" — Jesus calls out that the rulers of the Gentiles not only "lord it over" their people but also "exercise authority upon" them, using two distinct Greek words that emphasize not just ruling, but doing…
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Last reviewed October 2026
