Verse of the Day for Tuesday, April 2, 2024

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Matthew 20:17-19

While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.”

Matthew 20:17-19 is a significant passage in the Gospel of Matthew. This section is part of the narrative where Jesus, nearing the end of his earthly ministry, prepares his disciples for the upcoming events in Jerusalem. It is a pivotal moment as Jesus begins to explicitly reveal to his disciples the nature of his mission and the suffering he is about to endure.

In these verses, Jesus takes his twelve disciples aside and begins to detail what is about to happen to him in Jerusalem. He foretells his betrayal, condemnation to death by the religious leaders, his handing over to the Gentiles (a term referring to non-Jews), and the specific sufferings he will endure, including mockery, flogging, and crucifixion. However, this prophecy concludes with a note of triumph: Jesus also predicts his resurrection on the third day.

This passage is rich in theological and narrative significance:

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' prediction of his passion, death, and resurrection is in alignment with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. This establishes Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophecies.

2. The Role of the Gentiles: Jesus' mention of being handed over to the Gentiles highlights the involvement of the Roman authorities in his death. This aspect foretells the universal nature of Jesus' mission and the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish people.

3. The Suffering Messiah: Contrary to the common Jewish expectation of a triumphant, political Messiah, Jesus presents himself as a suffering servant. This redefines the concept of the Messiah in terms of humility and sacrifice.

4. Instruction for the Disciples: This revelation serves as an important lesson for the disciples. It prepares them for the upcoming events and challenges their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. The path of discipleship is marked by suffering and self-sacrifice, mirroring the journey Jesus himself is about to undertake.

5. The Resurrection: The prediction of his resurrection is central to Christian faith. It signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life. This message of hope is crucial to the Christian understanding of salvation.

In summary, Matthew 20:17-19 encapsulates key elements of Christian doctrine: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It challenges traditional Messianic expectations and lays the foundation for understanding the nature of Jesus' mission and the essence of Christian discipleship.

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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