And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

MATTHEW 20:27KJV
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Matthew 20:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 20:27 mean?

Matthew 20:27 says that anyone who wants to be important or a leader among Jesus’ followers must become a servant to others. Jesus is teaching that true greatness comes from serving, not from seeking status or power.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after they argued about who would be the greatest in His kingdom. He turns their idea of leadership upside down by saying that the highest position belongs to the one who is willing to take the lowest role—serving others rather than being served.

The Greek behind Matthew 20:27

  • The word for "chief" is πρῶτος (prōtos), which means "first" or "most important." Here, Jesus uses it to talk about those who want to be seen as leaders or top-ranking among the group.
  • The word for "servant" is δοῦλος (doulos), which means "slave" or "bondservant." This is a strong term, suggesting complete dedication to serving others, not just casual help or assistance.
  • The phrase "let him be" uses the verb ἔστω (estō), which is a command form—Jesus is not just making a suggestion but giving a directive about the kind of attitude His followers should have.

Why Matthew 20:27 matters

  • Matthew 20:27 challenges the common idea that leadership is about authority or being in charge, showing that Jesus values humility and service instead.
  • This verse connects to the larger passage where Jesus explains that His own mission is to serve and give His life for others, setting the ultimate example for His followers.
  • It clears up the misunderstanding that greatness in God’s eyes is about recognition or rank; instead, it is about putting others first and meeting their needs.

Where else these words appear

“be” Greek G2077 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
  • Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
  • Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

“chief” Greek G4413 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

“servant” Greek G1401 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

“be” Greek G1511 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
  • Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.