Devine Scripture

Mark 10:45

What does Mark 10:45 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 10:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 10:45 means

Jesus culminates His teaching on servanthood with His own example, declaring that the 'Son of Man' (a title emphasizing His humanity and messianic role) did not come to be served, but to serve. Most profoundly, He came 'to give his life a ransom for many.' This statement is central to Christian theology, revealing Jesus' ultimate purpose in sacrificial atonement for humanity's sin, connecting His servanthood directly to His redemptive death on the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For truly the Son of man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for the salvation of men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto: but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse is the climax of Jesus' teaching on servanthood and leadership, providing the ultimate model in His own person. His declaration of coming to minister and give His life as a ransom explains His divine mission, directly addressing the disciples' ambitious desires earlier in the chapter. This powerful theological statement concludes the teaching on servanthood, transitioning the narrative to Jesus' journey to Jericho.

v.44and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.

v.45This passage

v.46And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timæus, Bartimæus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Titus 2:14

    who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

  • Isaiah 53:10

    Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand.

  • Matthew 20:28

    even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

  • Philippians 2:5

    Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

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