JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION AGAIN

Matt 20:17-19 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.

In Matthew 16:21 and 17:22-23 we find the first two times Jesus told of His death and resurrection to His apostles, and probably to some of His other disciples. In the lesson text, we find Jesus and His apostles going up toward Jerusalem. As noted in Matthew 19:1, they were more than likely traveling along the Jordan River on its east side, that is beyond Jordan, when they came into the coasts of Judea. From this point they traveled up to Jerusalem. In all travels from any direction, due to its elevation, and when journeying to this city, it is spoken of as going up to Jerusalem. As they traveled, Jesus went before them (Mark 10:32), as an admired leader is expected to do. Mark continues with this bit of information about His apostles. As they followed Him, they were amazed, and were afraid. They were probably awe-struck, and even astonished, that Jesus would enter into a city knowing the fate that awaited Him there at the hands of the Jewish leaders. And because they were with Him and known as His disciples, they feared for their own lives.

Separating His twelve apostles apart from others that were traveling with them, He said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes. Having had this explained to them on previous occasions, here Jesus continues to assure them that events would take place that would lead to suffering that lay before them, which would assuredly take place. Although His betrayal was not mentioned (Matt. 16:21) when He first foretold of His death and resurrection, it was mentioned in His second prophecy (Matt. 17:22), and again here in the lesson text. Only here did Jesus reveal those to whom He would be betrayed, that is, thechief priests and unto the scribes. This reference almost always refers, as it does here, to selected Jewish teachers and to the seventy members of the Great Council, which is the Sanhedrin - the ruling court of justice within the Jewish nation.

When He was to be brought before this council, Jesus continued with His prophecy, they shall condemn Him to death. The Sanhedrin had no power to inflict the death penalty on Jesus, or any other person. This power was taken away from them by the Romans who conquered them and, at that particular time, ruled over them. However, they were allowed to state their opinion involving criminal cases among Jewish citizens, and were even encouraged to do so. And, more often than not, the Roman governors conceded to their opinion in order to gain their acceptance and approval. Although His disciples did not fully understand this prophecy at that time, looking forward we know that the Jewish council did vehemently condemn Jesus of blasphemy, reported this to the Roman rulers, and pleaded that they administer the death penalty because He had committed acts under Jewish law that were worthy of such punishment.

Referring to them as the Gentiles, Jesus told His disciples that Roman officials would mock, ...scourge, and ...crucify Him. Luke 23:11 tells us that the mocking of Jesus, which was prophesied, took place when they arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe. Mark adds that they also mocked Him when they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews (Mark 15:17-18)! To scourge means to beat with thongs especially made for such punishment. The whip used to scourge a person were said to be made up of leather thongs that had bits of sharp metal held to them by knots, so the beatings would be more hurtful. After having done these things to Him, Jesus confesses that they would crucify Him, that is, put Him to death by nailing Him to a cross and allowing Him to suffer until His physical body was unable to sustain life and gave in to death.

The foretelling of these events that awaited Jesus in Jerusalem could have brought nothing but sorrow and mental anguish to Jesus' apostles. However, His prophecy did not end there. There was encouragement and hope for all, because Jesus assured them that following His death, on the third day He shall rise again, giving the world proof of the resurrection. Little did the apostles know at this time that Jews would convict Him, Gentiles would crucify Him, and the result would be a universal atonement for the sins of the world!