Matthew 20:17-19
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Jesus's deliberate action of taking the twelve "apart" signals that this wasn't just another teaching moment; it was a solemn, private unveiling of a truth they weren't ready to grasp collectively. This intimate setting underscores the profound gravity of the suffering He was about to endure, a truth reserved for His closest companions at that crucial juncture.
And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is on His final journey up to Jerusalem, a significant trip that He knows will lead to His death. He pulls the twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to share something crucial and deeply personal with them, preparing them for the suffering He knows is coming. This private conversation, happening on the road, is a solemn moment where He foretells His betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion, but also His resurrection.
Jesus was on a journey with many followers, but he chose to speak privately to the Twelve. Why the need for such discretion?
A Confidante Conversation
Jesus is heading towards Jerusalem, a journey full of spiritual significance. As they travel, he pulls the Twelve aside. This wasn't a casual chat; the Greek word used suggests a deliberate taking aside, a move from the public way to a private space for communication. He had something crucial to share, something that wasn't for everyone.
Why the Secrecy?
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Jesus had mentioned his suffering before, but this time, he's getting specific. What does this detailed foretelling reveal about his mission?
A Journey's Purpose
This wasn't just any trip to Jerusalem; it was the final one, a 'steep ascent' leading directly to the cross. Jesus, knowing this, doesn't shy away but boldly states, 'Lo, we go up to Jerusalem.' It's a declaration of his unwavering resolve.
The Fuller Picture
This prediction is more detailed than previous ones. He foretells not just death, but the manner of his suffering: betrayal, condemnation, mockery, scourging, and crucifixion. This wasn't a vague premonition; it was a clear, conscious acceptance of a brutal fate.
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A title used by Jesus for Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, emphasizing both His true humanity and His divine authority as the Messianic representative of humanity.
archiereusin kai grammateusin · Greek Noun phrase
The religious leaders of Jerusalem responsible for the temple and interpreting the Law; they functioned as the primary human authority structures that opposed Jesus' ministry.
katakrinousin · Greek Verb
To sentence someone to a penalty, often implying legal or moral judgment; in the context of the Passion, it refers to the formal rejection and sentencing of Jesus by the religious authorities.
ethnesin · Greek Noun
Used generally for non-Jewish people, emphasizing the betrayal of the Messiah into the hands of those outside the covenant community of Israel.
staurōsai · Greek Verb
The capital punishment of the Roman Empire, involving public, slow, and agonizing death; theologically, it is the means by which Christ bore the curse of sin and achieved atonement.
egerthēsetai · Greek Verb
Refers to the bodily return to life of Jesus Christ; it is the foundational event of the Christian faith, signaling the defeat of death and the validation of His sacrificial work.
This specific prediction is the fifth and most detailed of Jesus' forecasts of his suffering and death, made during his final journey to Jerusalem, highlighting his intentionality and the disciples' struggle to comprehend his path.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus and his disciples travel from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. This journey marks Jesus' last week of ministry before his crucifixion.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Death (Fifth Time)
During this journey, Jesus specifically takes the twelve aside to foretell his betrayal, condemnation, suffering, and crucifixion in Jerusalem, adding the promise of resurrection.
c. AD 30
Disciples' Amazement and Fear
The disciples are amazed and afraid as Jesus leads the way toward Jerusalem, sensing the danger and the seriousness of Jesus' pronouncements about his impending death.
c. AD 30
Passover Feast Begins in Jerusalem
Thousands of Jewish pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, creating a volatile religious and political atmosphere.
c. AD 30
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, further intensifying the situation with religious and Roman authorities.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following his arrest, Jesus is tried by Jewish leaders and then by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, leading to his condemnation.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified by the Romans outside Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecies he had shared with his disciples.
This passage from Isaiah describes the 'man of sorrows' who was despised and rejected, directly foreshadowing the rejection and suffering Jesus was about to face in Jerusalem.
Luke 18:31-34This parallel account in Luke shows Jesus going ahead of the disciples and them being amazed and afraid, highlighting the emotional impact of His forewarning and their dawning fear.
John 12:32Jesus states, 'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' This connects His impending crucifixion (being 'lifted up') to His ultimate purpose and victory, which He is preparing His disciples to understand.
Zechariah 13:7This prophecy speaks of the Shepherd being struck and the sheep scattering, a clear prefigurement of Jesus' betrayal and the disciples fleeing when He is arrested in Jerusalem.
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…
Jesus's deliberate action of taking the twelve "apart" signals that this wasn't just another teaching moment; it was a solemn, private unveiling of a truth they weren't ready to grasp collectively. This intimate setting underscores the profound gravity of the suffering He was about to endure, a truth reserved for His closest companions at that crucial juncture.
Jesus is on His final journey up to Jerusalem, a significant trip that He knows will lead to His death. He pulls the twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to share something crucial and deeply personal with them, preparing them for the suffering He knows is coming. This private conversation, happening on the road, is a solemn moment where He foretells His betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion, but also His resurrection.
Jesus is on His final journey up to Jerusalem, a significant trip that He knows will lead to His death. He pulls the twelve disciples aside from the larger crowd to share something crucial and deeply personal with them, preparing them for the suffering He knows is coming. This private conversation, happening on the road, is a solemn moment where He foretells His betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion, but also His resurrection.
"And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will conde…" — Jesus's deliberate action of taking the twelve "apart" signals that this wasn't just another teaching moment; it was a solemn, private unveiling of a truth they weren't ready to grasp collectively. T…
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Last reviewed October 2026
