Mark 10:45

45 For also the Son of man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 10:45

For even the son of man
That is, Christ himself; a name by which he frequently goes both in the Old and New Testament to the arguments before produced, Christ adds his own example, to teach his disciples humility and lowliness of mind and to check their ambitious views and desires:

came not to be ministered unto:
not but that he was ministered unto even by the angels of God; who ministered to him in the wilderness, after he had been tempted by Satan; and he was also ministered unto by some women out of their substance; but these show the low estate he was in to stand in need of such ministrations: here the sense is that he did not appear as an earthly prince, with a fine equipage, a large retinue and attendance,

but to minister;
to be a servant, as he is in his mediatorial office and capacity: he was sent, and came as the servant of the Lord; and he ministered, in his prophetic office, the Gospel unto men; and went about in the form of a servant, doing good, ministering medicine both to the souls end bodies of men: but the great work he came about, was the work of man's redemption; which he willingly and cheerfully undertook, diligently and faithfully prosecuted, and has completely finished; to which respect is had in the next clause:

and to give his life a ransom for many;
even for all the elect of God, to redeem them from sin, Satan, and the law; and secure them from the wrath of God, and eternal death; and this he has done, by laying down his life as the ransom price for them; (See Gill on Matthew 20:28).

Mark 10:45 In-Context

43 but it is not thus among you; but whosoever would be great among you, shall be your minister;
44 and whosoever would be first of you shall be bondman of all.
45 For also the Son of man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many.
46 And they come to Jericho, and as he was going out from Jericho, and his disciples and a large crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind [man], sat by the wayside begging.
47 And having heard that it was Jesus the Nazaraean, he began to cry out and to say, O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Diakoneo: as Matt. 4.11.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.