What Does the Bible Say About Serving Others — In Biblical Context
Jesus taught that greatness in God's kingdom comes through humble service—He modeled this by washing His disciples' feet and giving His life for others.
Jesus taught that greatness in God's kingdom comes through humble service—He modeled this by washing His disciples' feet and giving His life for others.
"But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." — Matthew 20:26-27 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Service is central to the Christian life. Jesus revolutionized the concept of leadership by declaring, 'Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant' (Matthew 20:26-27). He demonstrated this by washing His disciples' feet, an act of extreme humility (John 13:14-15). Paul taught that believers should 'by love serve one another' (Galatians 5:13) and that the church functions as a body where each member serves the whole (1 Corinthians 12). Jesus even identified service to others as service to Himself: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40).
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 20:26-27, sits inside Matthew 20. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
Supporting Passages
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
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