Matthew 16:21 - From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
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What does "Matthew 16:21" mean?
This verse, Matthew 16:21, is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Matthew. It signifies a turning point in Jesus' ministry and introduces a crucial theme: the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Let's break down the meaning:
"From that time...": This phrase marks a shift. Before this point, Jesus focused primarily on teaching, healing, and demonstrating his authority as the Messiah. Now, he begins to explicitly prepare his disciples for the events surrounding his Passion. The "time" being referred to is likely after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
"...Jesus began to show his disciples...": This emphasizes that Jesus is intentionally revealing something important to his closest followers. It suggests a deliberate teaching moment, not a casual remark. He's taking the initiative to explain a difficult truth. The word "show" in the original Greek implies a more detailed and reasoned explanation than a simple announcement.
"...that he must go to Jerusalem...": Jerusalem is the religious and political center of Judaism. Going there meant confronting the established authorities. It was a journey toward conflict. The use of the word "must" highlights the divine necessity of his journey. It was part of God's plan.
"...and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes...": This identifies the sources of Jesus' suffering. These were the powerful ruling groups within Jewish society:
Elders: Respected older men who held positions of authority in the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court).
Chief Priests: Leaders from the priestly families, responsible for temple administration.
Scribes: Experts in the law of Moses, who interpreted and applied Jewish law.
These groups represent the religious establishment who would oppose Jesus' teachings and claims.
"...and be killed...": This is the most direct and shocking statement. Jesus is predicting his own execution. This would have been difficult for the disciples to accept, as they likely had expectations of a victorious Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule, not be subjected to humiliation and death.
"...and the third day be raised up.": This offers a glimmer of hope amidst the grim prediction. It speaks of resurrection, a triumph over death. This is the foundation of Christian faith: Jesus' victory over death. The phrase "the third day" would later become a specific time marker for the fulfillment of this prophecy.
In Summary:
This verse is significant because:
It marks a shift in Jesus' teaching to focus on his impending suffering and death.
It reveals that his suffering and death are not accidental but are part of God's plan ("must").
It identifies the specific groups who will be responsible for his suffering.
It includes the promise of his resurrection, offering hope and setting the stage for the core Christian belief.
It foreshadows the events of the Passion, preparing the disciples for the traumatic events to come.
This verse is a challenging and essential teaching, laying the groundwork for understanding the meaning and purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection within Christian theology. It demonstrates Jesus' willingness to embrace his predetermined path of suffering for the redemption of humanity.
Matthew 16:21 - From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
What does "Matthew 16:21" mean?
This verse, Matthew 16:21, is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Matthew. It signifies a turning point in Jesus' ministry and introduces a crucial theme: the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Let's break down the meaning:
"From that time...": This phrase marks a shift. Before this point, Jesus focused primarily on teaching, healing, and demonstrating his authority as the Messiah. Now, he begins to explicitly prepare his disciples for the events surrounding his Passion. The "time" being referred to is likely after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
"...Jesus began to show his disciples...": This emphasizes that Jesus is intentionally revealing something important to his closest followers. It suggests a deliberate teaching moment, not a casual remark. He's taking the initiative to explain a difficult truth. The word "show" in the original Greek implies a more detailed and reasoned explanation than a simple announcement.
"...that he must go to Jerusalem...": Jerusalem is the religious and political center of Judaism. Going there meant confronting the established authorities. It was a journey toward conflict. The use of the word "must" highlights the divine necessity of his journey. It was part of God's plan.
"...and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes...": This identifies the sources of Jesus' suffering. These were the powerful ruling groups within Jewish society:
Elders: Respected older men who held positions of authority in the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court).
Chief Priests: Leaders from the priestly families, responsible for temple administration.
Scribes: Experts in the law of Moses, who interpreted and applied Jewish law.
These groups represent the religious establishment who would oppose Jesus' teachings and claims.
"...and be killed...": This is the most direct and shocking statement. Jesus is predicting his own execution. This would have been difficult for the disciples to accept, as they likely had expectations of a victorious Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule, not be subjected to humiliation and death.
"...and the third day be raised up.": This offers a glimmer of hope amidst the grim prediction. It speaks of resurrection, a triumph over death. This is the foundation of Christian faith: Jesus' victory over death. The phrase "the third day" would later become a specific time marker for the fulfillment of this prophecy.
In Summary:
This verse is significant because:
It marks a shift in Jesus' teaching to focus on his impending suffering and death.
It reveals that his suffering and death are not accidental but are part of God's plan ("must").
It identifies the specific groups who will be responsible for his suffering.
It includes the promise of his resurrection, offering hope and setting the stage for the core Christian belief.
It foreshadows the events of the Passion, preparing the disciples for the traumatic events to come.
This verse is a challenging and essential teaching, laying the groundwork for understanding the meaning and purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection within Christian theology. It demonstrates Jesus' willingness to embrace his predetermined path of suffering for the redemption of humanity.