28 …even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 (ESV)
“A “ransom” is a price paid to redeem a slave or a prisoner. Redemption does not involve a price paid to Satan. Rather, the ransom is offered to God—to satisfy his justice and wrath against sin. The price paid was Christ’s own life—as a blood atonement (cf. Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). This, then, is the meaning of the cross: Christ subjected himself to the divine punishment against sin on our behalf (cf. Isa. 53:4–5; see note on 2 Cor. 5:21). Suffering the brunt of divine wrath in the place of sinners was the “cup” he spoke of having to drink (Matt. 20:22).” – Dr. John MacArthur
“Penal substitution—the suffering of Christ under the wrath of God in our place to pay the debt of sin we owe to our Creator—is the heart of the biblical doctrine of the atonement (Rom. 3:21–26; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24–25). Yet while penal substitution is essential to the gospel, it does not exhaust Scripture’s explanation of what Christ’s atonement accomplished. In today’s passage, for example, Jesus says that on the cross, He gave His life as a “ransom for many” (Matt. 20:20–28).” – Dr. R. C. Sproul
“The phrase “a ransom for many” is in all probability an echo of Isa. 53:11, as the entire surrounding phraseology would seem to indicate. Now in Isa. 53 the idea of substitution predominates: see verses 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12. See also Matt. 26:28. It is, of course, perfectly true that this ransom “in the place of” and “in exchange for” many immediately implies that benefit accrues to the many. The two ideas “in the place of” and “for the benefit of” blend into one. How can we even for a moment entertain the idea that a ransom “in the place of” many would not be for their benefit? Besides, the very context states in so many words that by means of this ransom the Son of man serves the many. He rescues them from the greatest possible bane, namely, the curse of God upon sin; and he bestows upon them the greatest possible boon, namely, the blessings of God for soul and body throughout all eternity.” (See Isa. 53:10; Rom. 4:25; 2 Cor. 5:20, 21; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18, 19). – Dr. William Hendriksen
“Never was there such an example of beneficence and usefulness as there was in the death of Christ, who gave his life a ransom for many. He lived as a servant, and went about doing good; but he died as a sacrifice, and in that he did the greatest good of all. He came into the world on purpose to give his life a ransom; it was first in his intention.” – Matthew Henry
“And to give His life a ransom for many. Christ mentioned His death, as we have said, in order to withdraw His disciples form the foolish imagination of an earthly kingdom. But it is a just and appropriate statement of its power and results when He declares that His life is the price of our redemption; when it follows that we obtain an undeserved reconciliation with God; the price of which is to be found nowhere else than in the death of Christ.” – John Calvin
What fear can overtake my vision?
What doubt can overcome my faith?
What strife can silence all my singing?
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
What thief can steal my heart’s possession?
What pow’r can overwhelm my soul?
What shame can silence my confession?
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
And what unspeakable mercy has emptied heaven’s reserve?
And what Redeemer so worthy has covered sin with such love?
And what unsearchable riches, far beyond human words?
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
What lie can sever what is certain?
What storm can wash away my hope?
What threat of death can take my freedom?
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
And what unspeakable mercy has emptied heaven’s reserve?
And what Redeemer so worthy has covered sin with such love?
And what unsearchable riches, far beyond human words?
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
Lord, Your wounds have paid my ransom.
Music and Lyrics by Phil Madiera,
Cindy Morgan, and Cliff Duren
His Word Today 