After the other disciples become indignant with James and John, Jesus further explicates the nature of his kingdom by contrasting it with the rulers of this world. The contrast, however, aims not to reject the notion of greatness or preeminence, but to qualify it by service. Jesus’ message is not “do not reign, serve!” but rather “reign, by serving!” In short, the kingdom context of Jesus’ death reveals he reigns by ransoming. The kingdom context of the ransom saying is further supported by the broader