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Why did Jesus refer to his death as a ransom? (Bible-Smart.com)

Why did Jesus refer to his death as a ransom? Did he have to pay Satan to release our souls?

/ Mike Nappa

Bonus!

For a limited time, you can get 25% off Mike Nappa’s commentary book, Bible-Smart™: Matthew.

Scripture: Matthew 20:20–28

Matthew 20:28 records Jesus prophesying about his death by saying, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

That word ransom feels strange to our American ears because it suggests that Satan has taken us hostage and God is paying off the devil for us. That in turn makes God seem weak and ineffectual, as though Satan somehow gained an upper hand against our all-powerful Father. The problem here is not the word, but our cultural understanding of it (which has, no doubt, been influenced by portrayals we’ve all seen in suspense movies and TV shows!).

The Greek word used in verse 28 is lútron, and yes, it’s translated correctly as “ransom.” However, in Jesus’ day it wasn’t seen as a hostage payment. Its literal meaning is “to loose,” and it was the common term for the price of freeing a slave. This is important because we are not slaves to Satan; therefore he receives nothing from Christ’s ransom.

Jesus instead taught that we are all slaves to sin (John 8:34–36). This is a reference to the sin nature within each of us that pulls us in hurtful directions away from God. The apostle Paul later explained that because of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living” (Romans 6:18).

So no, Jesus didn’t pay any ransom to Satan for your soul. Instead Christ paid the cost to set you loose from the corruption of sin that once completely enslaved your own human nature.

Sources:

CWSN 74; CWDN 930

“Why did Jesus refer to his death as a ransom? Did he have to pay Satan to release our souls?” is reprinted from Bible-Smart: Matthew © 2023 Nappaland Communications Inc. Published Tyndale House Publishers/Rose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.

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I don’t know anything about Zerubbabel—who was he?

/ Mike Nappa

Scripture: Ezra 3-4

What happens when a nation is conquered, burned to the ground, and left in rubble? When its wealthiest and most prominent citizens are carried off as slaves and dispersed into a powerful foreign country?

Well, if the experience of the Jewish people is any indication, those left behind cobble together an impoverished existence, surviving despite the odds, rebuilding lives as best they can. This is what happened when mighty Babylon razed Jerusalem in 587 B.C., destroying its Temple, stealing its wealth, and leaving behind only ruins and “some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields” (2 Kings 25:12 NIV). For nearly 50 years, until 538 B.C., Jerusalem survived as a dung heap of the nations, peopled by poor settlers of mixed nationalities, yet finding some measure of normalcy in the decades after the devastating war.

Then Zerubbabel came marching into town.

Where Did Zerubbabel Come From?

Zerubbabel was an aristocrat born in captivity after his parents had been exiled into Babylon. The son of Shealtiel, he was also the grandson of Jehoiachin—the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. Although Jehoiachin was imprisoned at first, Scripture indicates that in his later years he was shown uncommon favor from a new king: “So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table” (2 Kings 2:29 NIV).

It’s likely, then, that the boy Zerubbabel benefited from his grandfather’s favored status, growing up in Babylon’s royal court and being educated in politics and military as well as in strong roots of Jewish faith. When Persia overthrew the supposedly-invincible Babylon around 539 B.C,. he apparently found new favor from the conquering king, Cyrus II. Under orders from the victorious Persian ruler, Zerubbabel was appointed “governor” over Judah and sent back to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. to lead the effort to rebuild God’s Temple there (Ezra 2:1-2 ; Haggai 1:1).

Welcome to Jerusalem—Now Go Home

You’d think that, when Zerubbabel arrived triumphantly in Jerusalem, he would’ve been met with a king’s welcome … but that wasn’t the case. One Bible historian describes it this way:

The actual return was a crushing disappointment. The returning exiles found Judah a wilderness and the Holy City a wasteland. Corruption was everywhere, even among the priesthood. The descendants of those who had escaped captivity were hostile to the newcomers, fearing that their Babylonian brethren might try to recover their former family properties.”

The distrust ran deep. Who was this foreigner with a Babylonian name—one that literally translated, “seed of Babylon”? What right did he have to claim to be the Persian “Governor” over their land?

Zerubbabel didn’t help his cause much with the locals either. At one point, “the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, ‘Let us help you build’” (Ezra 4:1-2 NIV). Then Zerubbabel bluntly refused them, insulting them as he said, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord” (Ezra 4:3 NIV).

After that, the locals in Jerusalem did everything they could to frustrate Zerubbabel and keep the Temple from being built—and they succeeded (see Ezra 4:4-5). The returning exiles were only able to lay the foundation for the Temple, but nothing else. It wasn’t until about 15 years later, in 520 B.C., that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were able to convince Zerubbabel to resume construction in earnest. The Temple was finally completed around 516 B.C.

The Final Mysteries of Zerubbabel

There are three interesting footnotes to the life of Zerubbabel:

The functioning Temple he built in Jerusalem, though modest in scope, stood for centuries—even longer than the Temples of Solomon and Herod the Great combined.
Though the driving force behind the building of this Temple, Zerubbabel is not mentioned at its completion and dedication in Ezra 6:13-18, meaning he likely was not there. This has led some scholars to speculate that before the Temple was finished, Zerubbabel might have been “executed for leading a messianic movement that would have crowned him king of an independent Jewish nation.”
Regardless of whether or not Zerubbabel tried to lead a messianic movement for himself, he was involved with the coming of Christ. Both Matthew and Luke list this Babylonian-born, Persian-appointed governor of Judah as a forefather of Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus (see Matthew 1:12-13 and Luke 3:27).

Sources:

WWD 436; GPB 274; IBD3 1682; WWA 378

“I don’t know anything about Zerubbabel—who was he?” is reprinted from Bible-Smart: Matthew © 2023 Nappaland Communications Inc. Published Tyndale House Publishers/Rose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.

Have a question about the Bible? Use the Ask link to submit your question for future consideration on Bible-Smart.com.

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How is it that greatness is measured in service?

/ Mike Nappa

Scripture: Matthew 20:20–28

As it’s recorded in Matthew 20:26, Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” So how is greatness measured in service?

Since the true nature of greatness in service is something of a mystery, I’m going to speculate a little bit here. After looking at both this passage and John 13:1–17, here’s what I’ve been thinking lately …

First, we must deal with the mistaken, common assumption that we earn greatness through service. To my mind, this is a backward view of the facts. When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17), that added nothing to the greatness already inherent within him. He didn’t earn greatness by that act; he was already great.

Second, we need to acknowledge that what Jesus taught in Matthew 20:24–27 was a radical break from all of human history. Two thousand years later, we use the term “servant leadership” with such ease that we forget it did not exist until Jesus taught it to his disciples. Christ literally invented that concept, and now it’s actually part of MBA leadership textbooks. For example, Dr. Peter Northouse of Western Michigan University describes Christ’s invention when he teaches: “Leaders who serve are altruistic, they place their followers’ welfare foremost in their plans … and make decisions pertaining to them that are beneficial and not harmful to their welfare.”

Third, when we look to Jesus as the firm and foremost example of this teaching, we see that service is not the same as subservience. As Dr. Northouse said, servant leaders like Jesus “place their followers’ welfare foremost in their plans.” Sometimes that requires refusing to cooperate when a follower wants a servant leader to act against that follower’s best interests. This is why, during the act of serving Peter, Christ actually denied Peter’s commands (John 13:6–12), and it’s why, today, a servant leader would, for example, refuse a request for tequila from someone known to be a recovering alcoholic.

Finally, John 13:3–5 tells us that just before washing his disciples’ feet, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything…. So he got up from the table” (italics mine). Or as Dr. H. Wayne House commented on that passage, “Jesus did what he did because he knew what he knew.”

With all that taken into consideration, I’m going to suggest that greatness is not measured in service. Rather, like Jesus, our inherent greatness through Christ’s Holy Spirit expresses itself in service instead. I think that’s the point Jesus was making in Matthew 20:26.

My two cents.

Sources:

LEA 351–352; NNI 1344

“How is it that greatness is measured in service?” is reprinted from Bible-Smart: Matthew © 2023 Nappaland Communications Inc. Published Tyndale House Publishers/Rose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.

Have a question about the Bible? Use the Ask link to submit your question for future consideration on Bible-Smart.com.

Looking for more? Check out these links:

What made Egypt and Nazareth good choices for hiding the child, Jesus? (Bible-Smart.com)

What made Egypt and Nazareth good choices for hiding for the child, Jesus?

/ Mike Nappa

Bonus!

For a limited time, you can get 25% off Mike Nappa’s commentary book, Bible-Smart™: Matthew.

Find details here

Scripture: Matthew 2:19–23

At the time when Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled from King Herod, Egypt had become a kind of safe haven for Jews forced to leave their home country.

Egypt (like Herod’s Judea) was under Roman control but was outside of King Herod’s authority. A Jewish philosopher named Philo (15 bc–ad 50) lived during that time. He reported that, within the Egyptian city of Alexandria alone, about one million Jews lived in relative safety.

Although Egypt wasn’t exactly close for Joseph and Mary, it wasn’t too far either. The border between Judea and Egypt was about eighty miles away from their home in Bethlehem—a distance that could be covered within several days. Because of its heavy Jewish population, accessible walking distance, and its peaceful coexistence with Judea as part of the Roman Empire, Egypt was an ideal place for Joseph to hide his family from Herod’s murderous intent.

As for Nazareth, when it came time to return to Israel after Herod’s death, that place was a tiny, backwater village situated in foothills on the southern edge of what was known as “Lower Galilee.” It was dwarfed by larger towns nearby. With a population estimated by some to be as low as one hundred people, Nazareth was insignificant—and thus also a great place for a Messiah to be overlooked while growing into manhood. It was there that Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, settled his family and set up his carpenter’s shop.

Nazareth was also only about four miles (roughly a fifty-minute walk) from Sepphoris (or Sepphora), a large city that had recently been razed by Roman armies to put down a Jewish uprising. In spite of the ruins, Herod Antipas (one of Herod the Great’s sons) insisted on immediately rebuilding Sepphoris, making it the capital city of rule over Galilee.

“This means,” Bible historian Peter Walker has theorized, “that throughout Jesus’ young life and into his teenage years, Sepphora would’ve been a major building site—the perfect place of employment for someone like Joseph.” He adds, “The family’s move north to Nazareth may also have been inspired by some other considerations—good employment prospects.”

Sources:

ZB1 17; ISJ 31–33

“What made Egypt and Nazareth good choices for hiding for the child, Jesus?” is reprinted from Bible-Smart: Matthew © 2023 Nappaland Communications Inc. Published Tyndale House Publishers/Rose Publishing. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission.

Have a question about the Bible? Use the Ask link to submit your question for future consideration on Bible-Smart.com.

Looking for more? Check out these links:

Praying Through Romans in 31 Days

/ Mike Nappa

Scripture: Romans 1-16

Let’s try an experiment, you and I.

We know that spiritual growth accelerates when we read the Bible and pray. And we know that the biblical book of Romans is the foundational explanation of the theology of our Christian faith. In fact, Martin Luther once said of Romans, “The more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes.”

So let’s try this:

First, bookmark this web page so you can come back to it frequently. Then …
Every day for the next 31 days, let’s take the main messages in the book of Romans—and pray them back to God.

What do you think might happen then?

•••

DAY 1

Jesus, I’m your servant, set apart for your gospel. In humanity you’re descended from King David; through your Spirit of holiness you’re the Son of God! You proved this powerfully when you raised from the dead, giving grace to all who belong to you. May your grace and peace flow through me today. Amen!

From Romans 1:1-7

DAY 2

Jesus, faith in you is being reported all over the world, and I get to be part of that! Right now, in this prayer, I want to remember those who serve you in my community, nation, and world. Lord, please make us strong today. Help us to encourage and build each other up. Don’t let us be ashamed of your gospel—the power of God for salvation! We live by faith in you. Amen.

From Romans 1:8-17

DAY 3

Lord, from the first moment of creation your invisible qualities—your eternal power and divine being—have been clearly seen. Still, some of us have refused to see you. We’ve let our thinking become futile, and our foolish hearts be darkened. Forgive us, Jesus. Amen.

From Romans 1:18-21

DAY 4

Oh God, too many of us have exchanged your immortal glory to worship shallow images of you in creation. We’ve exchanged truth for a lie, indulged in shameful lusts, and allowed our lives to be filled with every kind of evil. Today, Lord, once again, please forgive us. Amen.

From Romans 1:22-32

DAY 5

Jesus, it’s hard sometimes to avoid passing judgment on others—even though I’m guilty of sin like they are! You’ve been kind and tolerant and patient to me; help me understand how your kindness leads to repentance—not my angry judgments. You don’t show favoritism; you alone are worthy to judge. Help me remember that today. Amen.

From Romans 2:1-29

DAY 6

Father God, thank you for entrusting your word to the world through the Jewish people—even though some haven’t believed in your Son. You’re always faithful (even when we’re faithless!), always true even if every human is a liar. Help me today to be faithful to you. Amen.

From Romans 3:1-8

DAY 7

Father, I know this is true: There is none righteous, not even me. All of us have sinned and fallen short of your glory. BUT … We’re justified freely by your grace and by the redemption you provided. You’ve given us faith—and we are saved! Thank you! Amen.

From Romans 3:9-31

DAY 8

Jesus, how grateful I am for the example of Abraham. Through him you showed that righteousness comes from you, by faith. As David said, “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them!” So today, Lord, I trust in you who were raised to life for my justification. Thank you! Amen!

From Romans 4:1-25

DAY 9

Lord God, I’m awed by the fact that I can have peace with you through Jesus Christ. At just the right time, when I was powerless, Christ died for me. While I was still a sinner, you died for me! I’m eternally grateful. Amen.

From Romans 5:1-11

DAY 10

Father, you saw it happen: Sin entered the world through Adam, and death through sin. Death reigned until … Your One and Only Son came along. Now, right now, grace reigns for me through the life of Jesus Christ, my Lord! Help me remember this today. Amen.

From Romans 5:12-21

DAY 11

Sometimes, Jesus, I’m tempted to keep on sinning so your grace keeps on growing—but I know that’s foolish! Instead, Lord, help me live in truth: My soul is dead to sin, raised to new life in you. Don’t let sin be my master today; help me live instead wrapped completely in your grace. Amen.

From Romans 6:1-14

DAY 12

Father, I’m humbled. I once was a slave to sin which was leading me to death. Yet now, thanks to you, I’m free from that! The wages of my sin should’ve been death, but instead I’ve received your gift—eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank you. Amen.

From Romans 6:15-23

DAY 13

I see today, Lord, an example from marriage. When a husband dies, the wife is no longer bound by the law of marriage. Likewise, I’ve “died” to the ancient Law so I might belong to you instead. I’m released from the law, and sin, and can now serve God in the strength of your Spirit. Help me to live this truth today. Amen!

From Romans 7:1-6

DAY 14

God, your law teaches me what sin is. I see the good I want to do—yet I don’t do it. I see evil I don’t want to do—yet I keep doing it anyway. I feel wretched! Who will save me from myself? You, of course. Only, always you, who delivers me again, today, through Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

From Romans 7:7-25

DAY 15

What comfort today! There is now no condemnation for people who, like me, are in Christ. You’ve set us free from the law of sin and death! Your Spirit testifies still today that I’m your child. I’m a co-heir with Christ. I’ll share in his suffering—and in his glory. Amen!

From Romans 8:1-17

DAY 16

Jesus, this life is hard—you know that. But our present suffering doesn’t compare to the glory you’ll reveal in us. Your Spirit helps in my weakness, even interceding with groans that language can’t express. Help me today to remember your glory to come, to lean on you in my weakness. I trust in you. Amen.

From Romans 8:18-27

DAY 17

God, in all things you work for the good of those who love you—that’s what your Scripture says. If you’re for me, who can be against me? What possible thing could ever separate me from you? Hardship? Poverty? Death or life? No, nothing in all creation can ever separate me from your love in Christ Jesus! I need your help to remember that today. Thank you, amen.

From Romans 8:28-39

DAY 18

Lord, it confuses and saddens me sometimes to discover that many of your people of Israel could miss your mercy and compassion. Meanwhile non-Jews are allowed—by faith—to be called your people in Christ. This is a stumbling block for many; today may it strengthen my faith in your love. Amen.

From Romans 9:1-33

DAY 19

Jesus, my heart’s desire echoes the cry of your Apostle Paul: May the people of Israel be saved by you. I ask for your Spirit—today—to continue to make known that righteousness is available to anyone who believes, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord! Amen.

From Romans 10:1-24

DAY 20

God, this much is clear: You didn’t reject your people of Israel! At all times, even now, you’ve kept a remnant for yourself. And now your remnant is chosen by grace, no longer chosen by works or else grace wouldn’t be grace! So please help me to experience your grace afresh today. Amen.

From Romans 11:1-10

DAY 21

Jesus, you’re amazing! You’ve taken Israel’s struggles with righteousness and used them to create riches for the world. It’s like natural branches broke off a vine, and you grafted in wild olive shoots to receive your life in their place. Today may I understand better what this really means for me. Amen.

From Romans 11:11-24

DAY 22

Father, there’s mystery in the way you work. You’ve promised to save Jew and gentile alike—and your gifts and call are irrevocable. Our disobedience is no match for your mercy! Today, Lord, please have mercy… again. Amen.

From Romans 11:25-36

DAY 23

Jesus, considering your mercy, help me offer my body in service as a living sacrifice—something holy and pleasing to you. Renew and transform my mind so I can pursue your good, pleasing, perfect will! Help me today to humbly share my gifts, and cheerfully encourage others’ gifts too. Thank you! Amen.

From Romans 12:1-8

DAY 24

Lord, my love must be sincere. I need to hate evil and cling to good; to be devoted to my family in Christ; to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Today, minute by minute, please don’t let me be overcome by evil, but help me overcome evil with good. Amen!

From Romans 12:9-21

DAY 25

Holy God, politics are such a pain—help me remember no authority is put over me except what you’ve established. Please give me grace to submit appropriately to those who govern me, and to give to everyone what I owe, especially respect and honor. Amen.

From Romans 13:1-7

DAY 26

Dear Jesus, I want to owe nothing to anyone—except an ongoing debt of love for others. Your law is summed up in one rule: Love my neighbor as myself. Today I’m asking you to help me love well, live well, and be clothed in you all day long. Amen!

From Romans 13:8-14

DAY 27

Lord, today when I’m strong in faith, help me accept and encourage ones who are weak. When I’m weak, help me find grace from the strong. I need to remember that none of us lives to ourselves alone! Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Thank you, amen.

From Romans 14:1-11

DAY 28

Lord, why do I so easily pass judgment? Help me keep away from that, and avoid being a stumbling block to others. With your Spirit, I can make every effort to encourage peace and mutual support with others. Let’s do that today, Jesus! Amen!

From Romans 14:12-23

DAY 29

This is my prayer today: Give me the same attitude of mind toward others that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice we glorify you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in you, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen!

From Romans 15:1-13

DAY 30

Dear Jesus, the Apostle Paul reminds me today that you’ve filled us with goodness, and made us complete in knowledge to be able to teach one another about you. Thank you for Paul’s encouragement—even when he faced great struggles! Help me to follow Paul’s example of faith today. Amen.

From Romans 15:14-33

DAY 31

Dear God, I want to be wise about what’s good—and innocent about evil. I’m waiting for the day when you’ll crush Satan under my feet. Lord, you’re able to establish me in accordance with the gospel. To you, the only wise God, be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

From Romans 16:1-27

•••

Congratulations! You’ve done something unique and powerful—you’ve prayed through all of Romans in just 31 days. My hope is that the time you’ve spent in these prayers has been a catalyst for renewed spiritual growth, and given you a deeper understanding of—and appreciation for—the Christian faith we hold so dear.

Sources:

BSB 197

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