Matthew 20:18 - “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,

Generated Verse: Matthew 20:18

What does "Matthew 20:18" mean?


This verse, Matthew 20:18, is a prophecy from Jesus to his disciples about what will happen to him in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem...": Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. This is significant because Jerusalem is the center of Jewish religious and political power.

"...and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes...": "Son of Man" is a title Jesus frequently used to refer to himself. He is predicting that he will be handed over to the chief priests (leaders of the priestly class, often Sadducees) and the scribes (experts in the Law of Moses, often Pharisees). These were the most powerful religious authorities in Jerusalem. The word "delivered" can imply betrayal.

"...and they will condemn him to death...": This is the core of the prophecy. The religious leaders will find Jesus guilty of a crime (blasphemy, sedition, etc.) and sentence him to die. Note that these Jewish leaders did not have the power to legally execute someone under Roman rule. They needed the Roman governor's permission.

In summary, this verse is a direct prediction by Jesus that he will be betrayed, arrested, and sentenced to death by the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem. It foreshadows the events of the Passion week that are central to the Christian faith.

Significance:

Fulfillment of Prophecy: Christians believe that Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's suffering and death.
Jesus' Knowledge and Acceptance: This verse highlights Jesus' awareness of the impending suffering and his willingness to go to Jerusalem despite knowing what awaited him.
Foundation of Christian Theology: The death and resurrection of Jesus are central to Christian theology. This verse is part of the narrative leading up to that pivotal event.

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