The other apostles express displeasure because James and John asked for good places at the table.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
NLT Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Because as the Son of the man came not to be served but instead to serve and to give that self of his for the sake of many.
The most interesting word choice is the word translated as "life." The word means the "breath of life," and specifically means the spirit that animates the body. For this reason, it is often translated as "soul" in the Gospels. Read more about this word and related words in this article. Jesus uses the nearly sided-by-side comparison of two forms, passive and active, of the same verb meaning "to be served" and "to serve" to make his point. However, the key word here, "ransom," is used only twice by Jesus, here and in the parallel verse in Matthew 20:28.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "ministered" should be "serve" so that the connection to the earlier verse is not lost.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "minister" should be "serve" so that the connection to the earlier verse is not lost.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- "Life" does not capture this word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before "man" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" before is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- Neither "life" or "soul" capture this word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "others" doesn't exist in the source and isn't otherwise justified.
- MW - Missing Word -- The article "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- Neither "life" or "soul" capture this word's specific meaning.
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
even -- The Greek word translated as "even" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." This words begins the sentence. Perhaps "as" is the best translation since Jesus in comparing himself to the "chiefest" of the previous verse, Mark 10:44.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children". It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. The phrase "son of man" is discussed in this article.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following article and noun. That form of a word is usually translated with an "of" in English.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
came -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out." It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." However, to "show up" captures the spirit in which Jesus seems to use it.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact, in fact, which is captured in English with adverbs like "really."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
be -- This word is required by the passive form of the following verb.
ministered -- (CW) The word translated as "ministered" simply means "to act as a servant," "to serve," and "to perform services."in the passive, "to be served." It is usually translated as "minister" in the Bible. It is from the same root as the Greek word usually translated as "minister" and is the source of our word "deacon," but his is not the noun usually translated as "servant" that actually means "slave."The noun form of this word, meaning "servant" appeared in Mark 10:43. But the previous verse used the noun for "slave."
unto, -- This word doesn't exist in the Greek, but it is added to conform to the choice of "minister," rather than "serve" in translating the previous verb. Minister doesn't take a direct object like the Greek word does.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
minister, -- (CW) The word translated as "to minister" means "to serve." It is the active form of the verb used above in the passive.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
give -- The word translated as "give" is the common word for "give" in Greek, but it has a number of special uses that our word does not have, including "to forgive", "to offer," and so on.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This word follows the noun so "of his."
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, the intellectual self. It has a clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to mean our identity in our worldly life specifically, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "social self," or what we commonly call our "ego." See this article for detail about this word.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
ransom -- The word translated as "ransom" is only used by Jesus twice, here and in the parallel in Matthew. It means the money paid for a ransom, but it also means the money paid to free a slave, or, more generally, "recompense."
for -- "For" is a less common preposition that means "opposite", "over against", "instead", "in place of", "at the price of", "in return for", "for the sake of", "against", "in return", "equal to", "corresponding to," and "mutually." Jesus always uses it in the sense of an exchange.
many. -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
even -- The Greek word translated as "even" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." This words begins the sentence. Perhaps "as" is the best translation since Jesus in comparing himself to the "chiefest" of the previous verse, Mark 10:44.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children". It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. The phrase "son of man" is discussed in this article.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following article and noun. That form of a word is usually translated with an "of" in English.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
came -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out." It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." However, to "show up" captures the spirit in which Jesus seems to use it.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact, in fact, which is captured in English with adverbs like "really."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
be -- This word is required by the passive form of the following verb.
served-- The word translated as "served" simply means, in the passive, "to be served." The noun form of this word, meaning "servant" appeared in Mark 10:43.
unto, -- This word doesn't exist in the Greek,but it is added to conform to the choice of "minister, rather than "serve" in translating the previous verb/.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
serve , -- The word translated as "to serve" means "to serve." It is the active form of the verb used above in the passive.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
give -- The word translated as "give" is the common word for "give" in Greek, but it has a number of special uses that our word does not have, including "to forgive", "to offer," and so on.
missing "the/this" -- The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This word follows the noun so "of his."
life -- -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, the intellectual self. It has a clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to mean our identity in our worldly life specifically, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "social self," or what we commonly call our "ego." See this article for detail about this word.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
ransom -- The word translated as "ransom" is only used by Jesus twice, here and in the parallel in Matthew. It means the money paid for a ransom, but it also means the money paid to free a slave, or, more generally, "recompense."
for -- "For" is a less common preposition that means "opposite", "over against", "instead", "in place of", "at the price of", "in return for", "for the sake of", "against", "in return", "equal to", "corresponding to," and "mutually." Jesus always uses it in the sense of an exchange.
many. -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
NLT
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
even -- The Greek word translated as "even" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." This words begins the sentence. Perhaps "as" is the best translation since Jesus in comparing himself to the "chiefest" of the previous verse, Mark 10:44.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "children". It can refer to all offspring in later generations, just like "father" refers to all previous generations. Jesus also used it metaphorically to describe those who follow a way of thought or set of beliefs that descend from an individual. More about it in this article. The phrase "son of man" is discussed in this article.
of -- This word comes from the genitive case of the following article and noun. That form of a word is usually translated with an "of" in English.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man", "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men", "people", and "peoples".
came -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out." It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "come" or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." However, to "show up" captures the spirit in which Jesus seems to use it.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact, in fact, which is captured in English with adverbs like "really."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
be -- This word is required by the passive form of the following verb.
served-- The word translated as "served" simply means, in the passive, "to be served." The noun form of this word, meaning "servant" appeared in Mark 10:43.
unto, -- This word doesn't exist in the Greek,but it is added to conform to the choice of "minister, rather than "serve" in translating the previous verb/.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
serve , -- The word translated as "to serve" means "to serve." It is the active form of the verb used above in the passive.
others -- -- (IW) There are no Greek words that can be translated as "other" in the Greek source.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
to -- This word if required by the infinitive form of the following verb.
give -- The word translated as "give" is the common word for "give" in Greek, but it has a number of special uses that our word does not have, including "to forgive", "to offer," and so on.
missing "the/this" -- The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This word follows the noun so "of his."
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "soul" is psyche, a common word in Greek, familiar in English, meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." It is used for different aspects of "self," the emotional self, the conscious self, the intellectual self. It has a clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. Jesus uses it to mean our identity in our worldly life specifically, the role we play on earth, what we might call the "social self," or what we commonly call our "ego." See this article for detail about this word.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
ransom -- The word translated as "ransom" is only used by Jesus twice, here and in the parallel in Matthew. It means the money paid for a ransom, but it also means the money paid to free a slave, or, more generally, "recompense."
for -- "For" is a less common preposition that means "opposite", "over against", "instead", "in place of", "at the price of", "in return for", "for the sake of", "against", "in return", "equal to", "corresponding to," and "mutually." Jesus always uses it in the sense of an exchange.
many. -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Even" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱὸς [158 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is from huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."-
ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is from ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἦλθεν [198 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Came" is from erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out", "to come", "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
διακονηθῆναι [12 verses](verb aor inf pass)"To be ministered unto" is from diakoneô, which "to act as a servant", "to serve," and "to perform services." In the passive, it means "to be served."
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "but instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay." Followed by οὐ, the sense is "still," and "at least." Followed by γὰρ. the sense is "but really" and "certainly."
διακονῆσαι [12 verses](verb aor inf act) "To ministered" is from diakoneô, which "to act as a servant", "to minister," and "to perform services."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv)"And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
δοῦναι [147 verses](verb aor inf act) "To give" is from didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "give freely", "to be ready to give," "offer," "appoint", "establish," "grant" another to one's entreaties, "pardon" at one's request, "forgive" one a thing, "condone." "concede" in argument, "give oneself up," "devote oneself," of the laws, "grant permission," and "to describe."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ψυχὴν [33 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Life" is from psyche, which means "breath", "life", "self", "spirit," and "soul." It has the clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. It is also used to describe "the spirit" of things. It is often translated as "soul."
λύτρον [2 verses] (noun sg neut nom/acc) "Ransom" is from lutron, which "ransom," "the price paid for ransom", "the price paid for the freedom of a slave", "sum paid for redemption of a pledge", "atonement," and generally, "recompense."
ἀντὶ [9 verses](prep) "For" is from anti which means "opposite", "over against", "instead", "in place of", "at the price of", "in return for", "for the sake of", "against", "in return", "equal to", "corresponding to," and "mutually."
πολλῶν. [61 verses](adj pl masc/fem/neut gen) "Many" is from polys, which means "many (in number)", "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)."