Home > Jesus is God in Mark's Gospel
See Luke 22:24–27 and Matthew 20:28. Mark 10:45 is the ultimate synthesis of two Old Testament figures: the Divine Son of Man and the Suffering Servant. Only a divine person could bridge the gap between the Sovereign Judge and the Sacrificial Lamb. The ransom is paid to satisfy the justice of God. If the debt is against an infinite God, only a payment of infinite value (the life of the Divine Son) can suffice.
Mark 10:45:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“Son of Man” - Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man," a direct reference to the divine figure in Daniel 7:13–14 who receives an eternal kingdom and universal worship.
“came… ”to serve” - Ordinary humans are born into the world; Jesus says he "came". Why would a carpenter's son expect the world to serve him? This statement only makes sense if Jesus has an inherent right to universal service.
“to give his life as a ransom for many" - Psalm 49:7 “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,” If Psalm 49 says it is impossible for a man to ransom another, yet Jesus says he is providing that ransom, the implication is clear: He is more than a man. He provides the "infinite value" required to satisfy divine justice—a value only God possesses. If Jesus’ death can serve as a ransom for "the many" (all of humanity), He must possess a value that is infinite—a value only possible if He is the Divine Logos incarnate. Jesus is acting out the character of a self-sufficient God who gives rather than takes.
1 Timothy 2:6
who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
The “many” becomes "all" in 1 Timothy 2:6 as it extends this significance universally, stating Christ gave His life as a ransom for all. Different purposes → different wording → same doctrine.
Isaiah 53:11–12:
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.Isaiah 53:6:
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
All includes many. While Jesus came for the many of Israel his salvation will stretch beyond that to the Gentiles.