Matthew 17:23 - and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.

Generated Verse: Matthew 17:23

What does "Matthew 17:23" mean?


This verse from Matthew 17:23 is a prophecy by Jesus about his upcoming death and resurrection. Let's break it down:

"and they will kill him": This refers to the prediction of Jesus' crucifixion. "They" refers to the religious leaders and Roman authorities who would ultimately condemn him to death.

"and the third day he will be raised up": This is the crucial part of the prophecy – that Jesus would be resurrected from the dead on the third day after his death. This is a central tenet of Christian belief.

"They were exceedingly sorry": "They" here refers to the disciples of Jesus. The verse indicates the disciples were very saddened to hear Jesus state he was going to be killed. They likely didn't fully understand the resurrection part or perhaps couldn't comprehend such a thing. They also likely loved Jesus and were concerned for him.

In summary:

Jesus predicts his death and resurrection. The disciples, understanding only the death part, are filled with deep sorrow at the thought of losing their teacher and friend.

Significance:

Foreshadowing: This verse serves as a foreshadowing of the events to come.
Divine Knowledge: It highlights Jesus' awareness of his fate and his divine nature, knowing he would be raised from the dead.
Emotional Impact: It reveals the emotional impact of Jesus' message on his followers, who were deeply affected by the prospect of his death.
Faith and Understanding: It also demonstrates the disciples' limited understanding at this point. They are grieved by the prospect of Jesus' death, but they may not fully grasp the implications of the resurrection and its significance for their faith.