Mark 10:45 (WEB)
For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
As quoted in the map (KJV)
Mark 10:45 (KJV)
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Key words
- λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶνlytron anti pollōn · Greek
- 'a ransom for many' — Jesus describes his death in the words of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).
- διακονῆσαιdiakonēsai · Greek
- 'to minister' — the Son of Man comes to serve, not to be served.
Why it matters
The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many. Pitre opens the chapter on Mary's birth pangs with the paradox this verse states (p 118): Jesus heals and raises the dead, yet his mission is finally not to take away suffering but to take it upon himself, as Isaiah's Servant does. Mary's life follows the same paradox — miracle and sorrow — with no labour pains at Bethlehem and the real pangs at Calvary.
Catechism · 3
The Sacrament of Holy Orders
“…of Christ. the exercise of this authority must therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the least and the servant of all.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mk 10 43-45; 1 Pet 5:3.
“The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint (“character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mk 10:45; Lk 22:27; St. Polycarp, Ad Phil. 5, 2: SCh 10, 182.
Jesus Died Crucified
“Christ's whole life expresses his mission: "to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."” — Catechism footnote: Mk 10:45.
Fathers and councils · 7
Athanasius of Alexandria
“And when Angels minister, they say, ‘I am sent unto thee,’ and, ‘The Lord has commanded;’ but the Son, though He say in human fashion, ‘I am sent,’ and comes to finish the work and to minister, nevertheless says, as being Word and Image, ‘I am in the Father, and the Father in Me;’ and, ‘He that hath seen…” — editor's note: Vid. John xvii. 3; Mark x. 45.
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Ambrose of Milan
“…sin, and a curse, that for me and in me was He humbled and made subject, that for me He is the Lamb, the Vine, the Rock, the Servant, the Son of an handmaid, knowing not the day of judgment, for my sake ignorant of the day and the hour.” — editor's note: S. Mark x. 45; S. John xiii. 4, 5; Ps. lxxxvi. 16; cxvi. 14; S. Luke i. 38.
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Clement of Alexandria
““I came not,” He says, “to be ministered unto, but to minister.”” — editor's note: Matt. xx. 28; Mark x. 45.
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Catena Aurea on Mark
- Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Mark
The other Apostles are indignant at seeing James and John seeking for honour; wherefore it is said, “And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.” For being influenced by human…
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In which He teaches, that he is the greater, who is the less, and that he becomes the lord, who is servant of all: vain, therefore, was it both for the one party to seek for immoderate things, and the other to be…
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Which is a greater thing than to minister. For what can be greater or more wonderful than that a man should die for him to whom he ministers? Nevertheless, this serving and condescension of humility was His glory,…
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He did not say, however, that He gave His life a ransom for all, but for many, that is, for those who would believe on Him.
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Cross-references · 6
Cited together with
Cited together in Catechism §1570.
Cited together in Catechism §1551.
Cited together in Catechism §1551.
Cited together in Catechism §1551.
Cited together in Catechism §1551.
Parallel passages
Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 share the same wording (18 words).