Matthew 20:26 (WEB)
It shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
Catechism · 1
“"Whoever would be great among you must be your servant."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 20:26.
Fathers and councils · 19
Jerome
“Our Lord says to his disciples,“Whosoever would become great among you, let him be least of all.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xx. 26.
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Augustine of Hippo
“Whoever will be great among you, said the Lord, shall be your servant.” — editor's note: Matt. xx. 26.
Read the whole comment“Paul the Apostle, indeed, living by his own labour, refused even to receive “the grass of the mountains;” he chose to want; nevertheless, the mountains gave “grass.”” — editor's note: Matt. xx. 26.
Read the whole comment“Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him;” and so on, down to the words, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” — editor's note: Matt. xx. 17–28.
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John Chrysostom
“And that if thou despise glory, thou shalt then attain it, again hear Christ Himself saying, “He that will be first among you, let him be your minister.” ( Matt. xx. 26.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“…but it shall not be so among you;but he that will be great among you, let this man be minister to all; and he that will be first, let him be last of all;”showing that such a feeling as this is that of heathens, I mean, to love the first place.” — editor's note: Matt. xx. 25–27. [The variations in text, especially in verse 27, are peculiar; compare with the A.V. and R.V.—R.]
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Leo the Great
“…let him be your minister, and whosoever will be first among you shall be your slave; even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xx. 26–28.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
So long as the judgment of Christ upon this request was in suspense, the other disciples were not indignant; but when they heard Him rebuke them, they were sorrowful; whence it is said, “And when the ten heard it,…
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They do not lay it upon the forwardness of the mother who spoke the request, but upon her sons, who, not knowing their measure, burned with so immoderate desires.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For when the Lord rebuked them, then they perceived that this request was from the disciples. For though they were grieved in their hearts when they saw them so especially honoured in the transfiguration, they yet…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But as the two had asked carnally, so now the ten are grieved carnally. For as to seek to be above all is blameworthy, so to have another above us is mortifying to our vanity.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But the meek and lowly Master neither charges the two with ambition, nor rebukes the ten for their spleen and jealousy; but, “Jesus called them unto him.”
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
By thus calling them to Him, and speaking to them face to face, he sooths them in their discomposure; for the two had been speaking with the Lord apart by themselves. But not now as before does He it by bringing…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
That is, not content merely to rule over their subjects, they are severe and oppressive. But among you who are Mine these things shall not be so; for as all carnal things are done by compulsion, but spiritual things…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He shews here that it is of the Gentiles to desire preeminence; and by this comparison of the Gentiles He calms their troubled souls.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Indeed, to desire a good work is good, for it is within our will, and ours is the reward; but to desire a primacy of honour is vanity. For when we attain this we are judged of God, because we know not whether in our…
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Lastly, He sets before them His own example, that so should they little weigh His words, His deeds might shame them, whence He adds, “As also the Son of Man cometh not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
For though the Angels and Martha ministered to Him, yet did He not come to be ministered unto, but to minister; [marg. note: Matt 4:11; John 12:2] yea, His ministry extended so far, that He fulfilled even what…
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How much soever you humble yourself, you cannot descend so far as did your Lord.
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Cross-references · 4
Parallel passages
Matthew 20:26 and Mark 10:43 share the same wording (16 words).
Cited together with
Cited together in Origen on Matthew 20:24–28 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Letters Letter 100.
Cited together in Origen on Matthew 20:24–28 (2) (Catena Aurea).