Matthew 20:17
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just another stop on the road; Jesus deliberately takes the twelve aside. The Greek word for "apart" highlights that he's creating a private, intimate space for a deeply solemn conversation, separating them from the larger crowd for a message they absolutely needed to hear directly.
Jesus is on his final journey towards Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a journey that will lead to his crucifixion. He pulls the inner circle of his twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to reveal, for the third time and with more detail, the suffering and death that await him there. This solemn moment sets the stage for his betrayal, condemnation, and execution, as well as his eventual resurrection.
Jesus is on his final journey to Jerusalem, a trip filled with anticipation, crowds, and a looming destiny. Why did he pull the twelve aside for this crucial conversation?
As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, the roads were likely bustling with people heading for the Passover feast. Yet, Jesus intentionally took his inner circle, the twelve disciples, aside. This wasn't a casual chat; it was a deliberate, private moment for a weighty message.
Jesus had told his disciples about his impending suffering before, but this time felt different. What made this prediction stand out?
This was not the first time Jesus had spoken of his death, but it was a particularly stark and detailed foretelling. The scholars note this as the sixth time Jesus predicted his suffering and the fifth time he mentioned his resurrection (Benson).
This verse marks a pivotal moment as Jesus, knowing his imminent death in Jerusalem, prepares his closest disciples for the shocking reality of his suffering, a stark contrast to their hopes for a triumphant Messiah.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus and his disciples ministered throughout Galilee, drawing large crowds and attracting the attention of religious leaders.
c. AD 30— this verse
Journey to Jerusalem for Passover
Jesus and his followers began their final journey from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a significant annual pilgrimage.
c. AD 30
Jesus privately foretells his death
Jesus takes the twelve aside on the road to Jerusalem to foretell his suffering, betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion.
c. AD 30
Arrival in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, a stark contrast to the suffering he just predicted.
c. AD 30
This passage parallels Matthew's account, providing a very similar, though slightly more detailed, narrative of Jesus privately preparing the disciples for His upcoming suffering and death as they journeyed.
Luke 18:31-34Luke's Gospel also records this pivotal moment, emphasizing Jesus' deliberate approach to Jerusalem and the disciples' subsequent confusion and lack of understanding regarding His predictions.
Isaiah 53:3-10This prophetic passage in Isaiah remarkably foretells the suffering, rejection, and atoning death of the 'Suffering Servant,' which Jesus was now clearly preparing His disciples to understand as the fulfillment of Scripture.
John 12:32-33While not a direct prediction, Jesus here speaks metaphorically of being lifted up, linking His impending crucifixion to drawing all people to Himself, a concept that directly relates to the 'lifting up' He foretold to the disciples.
henryMatthew 20:17-19: "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,"
20:17-19 Christ is more particular here in foretelling his sufferings than before. And here, as before, he adds the mention of his resurrection and his glory, to that of his death and sufferings, to encourage his disciples, and comfort them. A believing view of our once crucified and now glorified Redeemer, is good to humble a proud, self-justifying disposition. When we consider t…
bensonMatthew 20:17: "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,"
Matthew 20:17-19 . Jesus took the twelve disciples apart in the way — See note on Mark 10:32-34 . And said, The Son of man shall be betrayed, &c. — This is the sixth time that Jesus foretold his own sufferings; see John 2:19 ; John 2:21 ; Matthew 16:21 ; Matthew 17:12 ; Matthew 17:22-23 ; Luke 17:25 ; and the fifth time that he foretold his resurrection. And the particular manner in…
This isn't just another stop on the road; Jesus deliberately takes the twelve aside. The Greek word for "apart" highlights that he's creating a private, intimate space for a deeply solemn conversation, separating them from the larger crowd for a message they absolutely needed to hear directly.
Jesus is on his final journey towards Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a journey that will lead to his crucifixion. He pulls the inner circle of his twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to reveal, for the third time and with more detail, the suffering and death that await him there. This solemn moment sets the stage for his betrayal, condemnation, and execution, as well as his eventual resurrection.
Jesus is on his final journey towards Jerusalem for the Passover festival, a journey that will lead to his crucifixion. He pulls the inner circle of his twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to reveal, for the third time and with more detail, the suffering and death that await him there. This solemn moment sets the stage for his betrayal, condemnation, and execution, as well as his eventual resurrection.
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Jesus' final week
Jesus teaches and debates in the temple, further challenging the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and, according to his own prophecy, rises again on the third day.
"And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them," — This isn't just another stop on the road; Jesus deliberately takes the twelve aside. The Greek word for "apart" highlights that he's creating a private, intimate space for a deeply solemn conversatio…
