Matthew 20:28

Son of man. See on Matt. 1:1; Mark 2:10. The life of Jesus was pre-eminently a life of service. Throughout His ministry He took advantage of none of the privileges commonly claimed by the rabbis, He had no possessions that He might call His own, He never exercised divine power for His own advantage.

Life. Gr. psuche (see on ch. 10:28).

Ransom. Gr. lutron, “ransom,” “atonement,” or “recompense.” Lutron is used in the papyri of the price paid for a slave in order to make him a freeman. It is also used of money paid for redemption of a pledge. The related verb, lutroo, is translated “redeem,” or “redeemed” (see Luke 24:21; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18). Here for the first time Jesus makes a clear statement concerning the substitutionary nature of His death. This aspect of His supreme sacrifice was clearly set forth by the prophet Isaiah more than seven centuries before the time came for that sacrifice to be made (see on Isa. 53:4-6). It is true that there was an exemplary aspect to Christ’s death, but there was far more to it than that. It was first and above all else substitutionary. Otherwise Jesus could not have the power to save men from their sins (see on Matt. 1:21). For the spirit that prompted Jesus to make this great sacrifice on behalf of sinners see Phil. 2:6-8.

There is no basis whatever for the suggestion some have made that Jesus paid a “ransom” either to the devil or to God.