Beth-El Baptist Church

06/08/2008

Greg Tomlinson


To whom did Jesus pay the ransom (Matthew 20:28)?


The scriptures clearly state that Jesus paid a ransom. There are some who teach that the ransom was paid to Satan and others say that the ransom is paid to God. It is important to understand the truth so that we are able to communicate the truth. See Matthew 20:24-28; Mark 10:41-45; 1 Timothy 2:5-6


  1. When was the ransom called for?

Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-7, 21-24 Romans 5:6-14; 6:23

Revelation 13:8


The ransom was identified when man (Adam) sinned against God and chose to be liable for his own soul by deciding for himself what is right and what is wrong. The penalty of violating the commands of God is death or eternal separation from God. It is the paid ransom that allows the ransomed one to return to his family, to God.


  1. What was the price of the ransom?

Exodus 12:5-10 John 1:29

Psalm 49:6-9 Proverbs 13:7-9

Matthew 20:28 Mark 10:45

1 Timothy 2:6 Acts 13:26-30

1 Peter 1:18-21 Romans 4:18-25

Hebrews 7:26-27, 9:13-22 John 10:16-18

Acts 2:22-24


The price of the ransom was the blood of a lamb without spot and without blemish. That lamb was Jesus. He paid the full price, not part of the price but the entire price of the ransom.


  1. How can we know for sure who the ransom was paid to?

Exodus 30:11-12 Jeremiah 31:10-11

Hosea 13::14 Isaiah 53:10-11


Clearly the scriptures teach that it is God (Yahweh) who is to be paid the ransom. It was God who we offended by our sins and it is to him that redemption is to be made. The debt that is owed is to God. The preciousness of God is that he is the only one who could afford to pay the price, which He did.


  1. How do we know for sure that the ransom was not paid to Satan?

Ezekiel 18:4-9 Revelation 1:17-18 cmp Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12

John 5:21-23 Revelation 19:20; 20:10

Psalm 139:8 Romans 1:22-32


The ransom could not be paid to Satan because the souls do not belong to Him but to God. It is Jesus Christ, God in flesh, who has the keys to hell and death that determines who enters into the presence of God and who enters into eternal damnation. There is no where anyone can go to hide himself from God. Also note that it is Satan who will be judged, found guilty, and sentenced to eternity in 'the lake of fire' from which there is no escape. If the ransom was to be paid to Satan then that would indicate that Satan stole something from God and as such he has power over God. Reality is significantly different in that God gave men over to their own lusts and desires. The realm of lust, desire, and sin is the realm of Satan so Satan could not have stolen that which he was given.