ransom

Jesus’ life as ransom is a difficult idea for many people to grasp. It relies on understanding the concept of redemption, and on accepting that
humanity was in need of such redemption. In the Gospel According to Matthew 20:26–28 (NABRE), Jesus teaches his disciples what the path to greatness looks like and emphasizes that he came to give his life as a ransom.

The idea of ransom in connection with religious sacrifice dates to the time of the Exodus. The New Testament appropriates the same idea in order to explain Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection.

The Greek for ransom is λύτρ-ον (lutron). Lutron is related to the Greek word for redemption, λύτρωσις (lutrosis), which means “ransoming” or “buying back with a ransom.” Ransom used in this context specifically means the price for release of a captive.

In what ways do you think that humanity is or has been held captive? How do you think that the offering of Jesus’ life as ransom made it possible for humanity to be redeemed and to attain salvation?

related topics: First Letter of John; Letter to the Philippians; passion

you also may like our two-part study of the psalms
Sing a New Psalm: Communicating with God Through the Prayers of the Church provides an in-depth look at all 150 psalms based on The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, a translation prepared by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey and endorsed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This translation is being included in new Liturgy of the Hours books. Volume I currently is available only in a digital format. Click on these links to view a sample first lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.

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