Matthew 17:22 - While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

Generated Verse: Matthew 17:22

What does "Matthew 17:22" mean?


Matthew 17:22 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of Matthew because it marks another clear prediction by Jesus about his impending suffering and death. Let's break it down:

"While they were staying in Galilee..." This sets the scene. Jesus is still in the relatively safer region of Galilee with his disciples, before heading towards Jerusalem. Galilee was a place where he had significant support and was less likely to face immediate opposition.

"...Jesus said to them..." This emphasizes the directness and importance of the message. He's speaking specifically to his disciples, preparing them for what's to come.

"The Son of Man..." This is Jesus' preferred title for himself. It's a title rooted in the Book of Daniel (7:13-14), which carries connotations of both humanity and divine authority/judgment. Jesus uses this title to refer to himself, suggesting he is both fully human and possesses divine qualities.

"...is about to be delivered up..." This is the key phrase. "Delivered up" (or "betrayed" in some translations) means that Jesus will be handed over to his enemies, likely by someone close to him (Judas Iscariot later fulfills this). This indicates a deliberate act of betrayal and emphasizes the unjust nature of his suffering. It also highlights that his suffering is part of a divine plan.

"...into the hands of men..." This specifies that his suffering will be inflicted by human agents. It underscores the human responsibility for his death, emphasizing the role of those who will reject and crucify him. It also points to the human capacity for cruelty and injustice.

In essence, this verse is a direct prophecy about Jesus' imminent suffering and death. It highlights:

Jesus' foreknowledge: He knows what's coming. This underscores his divine nature. He's not being taken by surprise.
The betrayal: He will be handed over by someone.
Human agency: His suffering will be at the hands of humans, pointing to human sin and rejection of God.
The "Son of Man" identity: The use of this title ties his suffering to a larger messianic purpose and links him to a figure with divine authority.

The purpose of this verse within the larger narrative of Matthew is to prepare the disciples for the trauma of the crucifixion and to emphasize that Jesus' suffering is not a defeat, but rather a necessary part of God's plan for salvation. It underscores the divine plan behind Jesus' ministry and prepares the disciples for the events that will unfold in Jerusalem.

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