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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Matthew 20:26 - 20:26
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Would become great (hos an thelēi megas genesthai). Jesus does not condemn the desire to become great. It is a laudable ambition. There are “great ones” (megaloi) among Christians as among pagans, but they do not “lord it over” one another (katakurieuousin), a lxx word and very expressive, or “play the tyrant” (katexousiazousin), another suggestive word.
Your minister (hūmōn diakonos). This word may come from dia and konis (dust), to raise a dust by one’s hurry, and so to minister. It is a general word for servant and is used in a variety of ways including the technical sense of our “deacon” in Phi 1:1. But it more frequently is applied to ministers of the Gospel (1Co 3:5). The way to be “first” (prōtos), says Jesus, is to be your “servant” (doulos), “bond-servant” (Mat 20:27). This is a complete reversal of popular opinion then and now.