Luke 18:31-33
And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus deliberately pulls the twelve aside, not just to warn them of his impending death, but to frame it as the necessary, prophesied fulfillment of God's ancient plan. He emphasizes that his suffering isn't a tragedy but the very thing the prophets foretold "concerning the Son of Man," pointing to a deeper divine purpose in his suffering.
Jesus gathers the twelve closest disciples apart as they journey towards Jerusalem, a city filled with religious and political tension. He explicitly tells them that their destination is where all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled, a profound statement that he will soon clarify with a prediction of his own suffering and death. This crucial conversation happens just before his final week, setting the stage for his impending passion.
Jesus knew exactly where he was going and what awaited him. He wasn't caught off guard; he was on a mission.
As Jesus and his disciples journey toward Jerusalem, Jesus takes the Twelve aside. This isn't a casual heads-up; it's a deliberate, private briefing. He states, 'See, we are going up to Jerusalem.' The phrase 'going up' itself carries weight, as Jerusalem was the holy city, the destination for pilgrimage and divine appointment.
Jesus’ willingness to go to Jerusalem, knowing the suffering that awaited him there – betrayal, condemnation, mockery, and crucifixion – reveals his profound commitment to God's plan. He wasn't being dragged to Jerusalem; he was purposefully heading into the heart of God's redemptive work.
The events Jesus is about to face aren't random tragedies. They are the meticulously planned fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
Jesus connects his impending suffering directly to the Old Testament prophets, stating, 'everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.' This is a critical point: Jesus' death was not an unforeseen disaster but the climax of a story foretold for centuries.
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He emphasizes that 'all things written' would be fulfilled. This means every detail – the betrayal, the suffering, the death, and even the resurrection – was part of God's eternal plan, documented by prophets like Isaiah and Daniel. This perspective shifts the narrative from one of mere human cruelty to divine orchestration, showing that even in the darkest human actions, God was working out His ultimate purposes.
Despite Jesus' clear words, his closest followers completely missed the point. Why couldn't they see what was written?
The context provided by commentators (and later in Luke 18:34) reveals a stark reality: the disciples didn't understand. Even though Jesus spoke plainly about his upcoming suffering and death, their minds were clouded.
Their expectation of a political, triumphant Messiah prevented them from grasping the prophetic declarations about the Messiah’s suffering. They heard the words but couldn't reconcile them with their preconceived notions of power and glory. This highlights how our own expectations and desires can blind us to spiritual truths, even when they are clearly presented. Jesus’ teaching about his suffering was meant to prepare them, but their deep-seated assumptions created a barrier to understanding.
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun Phrase
A title used for Jesus that emphasizes both His humanity and His divine messianic authority as the heavenly figure described in Daniel 7:13-14. It highlights His role as the suffering servant and the future judge of the world.
prophētai · Greek Noun
In biblical usage, a prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God, conveying His message, warnings, or predictions to His people, often under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Prophets in the Old Testament provided the foundational revelation regarding the coming Messiah.
paradothēsetai · Greek Verb
The act of being given over to others, often used in the Gospels to refer to Jesus being handed over to His enemies or to authorities for judgment. It carries overtones of divine providence, as Jesus was 'delivered up' according to the predetermined plan of God.
ethnesin · Greek Noun
A term referring to non-Jewish nations, representing the world outside the covenant of Israel. In the context of the Passion, it highlights the universal nature of the rejection of Christ.
tē tritē hēmera · Greek Adverbial Phrase
A historical and theological marker pointing to the transition from the old covenant to the new. It signifies the completion of the period of humiliation and the commencement of the age of resurrection and vindication.
anastēsetai · Greek Verb
The central miracle of the Christian faith, where Jesus Christ returned to life after His death. It signifies victory over sin, death, and the grave, and validates His identity as the Son of God.
Jesus' announcement isn't out of the blue; it's deeply rooted in centuries of Israel's history, including periods of judgment and hope for a suffering, yet victorious, Messiah. He's presenting himself as the fulfillment of these long-awaited prophetic promises.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event heightened the sense of impending doom and the need for divine intervention in the minds of many Jews.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling Judeans. This catastrophe was seen as a consequence of disobedience and reinforced the prophetic warnings of judgment.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
The Persian king Cyrus the Great allowed exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This event sparked hope for a restored Davidic kingdom and messianic fulfillment.
c. 200 BC - 1st Century BC
Apocalyptic Literature Flourishes
A period of intense writing about end-times prophecies, often filled with imagery of suffering, judgment, and eventual divine victory. This literature shaped expectations of a Messiah who would face opposition.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins his final journey toward Jerusalem, knowing it is the place where the prophetic Scriptures concerning the Son of Man, including his suffering and death, will be fulfilled.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in Jerusalem. This event, foreseen by Jesus and prophesied by the prophets, marks the climax of his earthly mission.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Resurrection
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rises from the dead, fulfilling the prophetic Scriptures and demonstrating his victory over sin and death.
This passage describes the suffering Servant of the Lord, directly fulfilling the prophecies Jesus references about the Son of Man's future suffering and atonement.
Daniel 9:24-27Daniel prophesied about a specific period leading up to the Messiah's 'cutting off,' which aligns with Jesus' understanding of His mission and the prophetic writings concerning the Son of Man.
Psalm 22:1-31This psalm vividly portrays the suffering and rejection of a righteous sufferer, echoing the details Jesus would soon experience and fulfilling prophetic descriptions of the Son of Man.
Luke 24:27After His resurrection, Jesus Himself explained to the disciples how 'all the Scriptures' concerning Him needed to be fulfilled, directly referencing the prophetic foundation Jesus spoke of in Luke 18:31.
Matthew 20:17-19This parallel account provides more detail on Jesus' prediction of His suffering and death, underscoring the 'accomplishment' of all that was written about the Son of Man as He went up to Jerusalem.
calvinLuke 18:31-34: "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."
- And Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said to them, 18. Lo, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes; and they will condemn him to death. 19. And they will deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to…
vincentLuke 18:31: "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."
By the prophets (διά)Lit., through; the preposition expressing secondary agency.
Jesus deliberately pulls the twelve aside, not just to warn them of his impending death, but to frame it as the necessary, prophesied fulfillment of God's ancient plan. He emphasizes that his suffering isn't a tragedy but the very thing the prophets foretold "concerning the Son of Man," pointing to a deeper divine purpose in his suffering.
Jesus gathers the twelve closest disciples apart as they journey towards Jerusalem, a city filled with religious and political tension. He explicitly tells them that their destination is where all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled, a profound statement that he will soon clarify with a prediction of his own suffering and death. This crucial conversation happens just before his final week, setting the stage for his impending passion.
Jesus gathers the twelve closest disciples apart as they journey towards Jerusalem, a city filled with religious and political tension. He explicitly tells them that their destination is where all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled, a profound statement that he will soon clarify with a prediction of his own suffering and death. This crucial conversation happens just before his final week, setting the stage for his impending passion.
"And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and sham…" — Jesus deliberately pulls the twelve aside, not just to warn them of his impending death, but to frame it as the necessary, prophesied fulfillment of God's ancient plan. He emphasizes that his sufferi…
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