20:28a
just as: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as just as means “in just the same way as.” This word indicates that what follows in 20:28 is similar in some way to what precedes. Jesus said that his followers should serve others just as he came to serve others.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
even as (English Standard Version)
-or-
like (Good News Translation)
In some languages, it will be natural to start a new sentence here. For example:
In the same way (New Century Version)
-or-
It’s the same way with the Son of Man (God’s Word)
the Son of Man: Jesus used the phrase the Son of Man to refer to himself. In some languages, it may be necessary to add the pronoun “I” or “me” to show that Jesus was referring to himself. For example:
⌊I,⌋ the Son of Man
In Matthew, this phrase first occurs in 8:20b. See the Note there for more information on translating it. This phrase last occurred in 20:18b.
did not come: The verb come refers to Jesus coming into the world. It does not refer to coming to the location near Jericho where he was when he spoke these words. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:
came not ⌊into this world⌋
-or-
did not become ⌊a human being⌋
to be served: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates to be served is based on the same word used in 20:26c that means “servant.” This verb means “to be given assistance/help.”
This is a passive clause. Here are some other ways to translate it:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
to be served (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to be helped
-or-
to have servants
• Use an active verb in a purpose clause. For example:
so that others would serve him
-or-
so that people work for him/me
-or-
so that people be his servants/helpers
20:28b
but: This is the same contrasting conjunction as in 20:26b. It indicates a contrast between the negative clause “did not come to be served” (20:28a) and a positive clause “to serve” (here in 20:28b).
In some languages, it is more natural to use “rather” or “instead” here. In other languages, no conjunction is necessary (as in the New Century Version).
to serve: Some words from the previous clause are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of those words explicit. For example:
⌊he came⌋ to serve ⌊others/people⌋
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
to work for others
-or-
to help other people
-or-
⌊he came⌋ to be the servant of other people
20:28c
and to give His life: The phrase to give His life means “to die willingly for others” or “to voluntarily die to benefit others.” Jesus willingly and freely came to die as a sacrifice for people’s sins.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
to give himself to be killed
-or-
to allow himself to be killed
-or-
to willingly die
as a ransom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ransom means “the price of release.” This kind of payment was made either (a) to free prisoners captured in war or (b) to free slaves. Similarly, Jesus gave his life in order to pay to free people from their sin. His death was the ransom that released or redeemed people from their sin.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
as the way to buy/pay the freedom
-or-
to redeem (Good News Translation)
-or-
to rescue (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to free
for many: The phrase for many means “on behalf of many people.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
for the sake of many ⌊people⌋
-or-
so that many ⌊people⌋ ⌊may be saved⌋
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