What does Matthew 17:23 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 17:23 presents a prediction of Jesus Christ, where He foretells His own suffering, death, and resurrection.

In the literal sense, this verse describes a future event where Jesus would be executed by His adversaries and subsequently resurrected on the third day following his death.

The deeper meaning of this verse is found in the prophecy of the Messiah's sacrifice for humanity's sins and the victory over death, offering the hope of eternal life to believers.

Jesus's followers are described as being "exceeding sorry," which indicates their deep distress and misunderstanding of the necessity and significance of His death and resurrection at that time.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew was written in a Jewish milieu with a primary audience of Jewish Christians.

During the time of Jesus, the communities expected a Messiah who would be a political and military leader, liberating them from Roman rule and restoring the kingdom of Israel.

Jesus’s predictions of His suffering and death were contrary to these messianic expectations.

This verse takes place as Jesus prepares his disciples for the events that will unfold during the Passion Week, the final week leading up to His crucifixion.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Matthew 17:23 is rich with Christian doctrine.

One perspective is that it emphasizes the doctrine of atonement, the belief that Jesus's death was necessary to reconcile humanity with God.

The resurrection indicates the power of God over death, reinforcing the core Christian belief in life after death.

The mention of "the third day" aligns with the Scriptural motif of God completing significant acts in a three-day motif, reinforcing the divine plan and timing.

Some theologians also see in this verse a test of faith for the disciples, who had to trust in Jesus's words against their own hopes and expectations.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse reminds believers of the significance of Jesus's death and resurrection as the central event of Christian faith.

It encourages followers to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances are difficult or God's plan is not immediately understood.

The disciples' sorrow can serve as a reflection on human reactions to divine plans and the challenge of embracing faith in times of uncertainty or fear.

Cross-References

• Matthew 16:21: "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
• Luke 9:22: "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to examine include:

• "kill" (ἀποκτενοῦσιν / apoktenousin): This term is a future active indicative verb that implies a future, definitive action.

It denotes the act of killing with intent.

• "raised" (ἐγερθήσεται / egerthēsetai): This future passive indicative verb communicates the action of being raised up or resurrected, highlighting the passive nature of Jesus's resurrection (it is something done to Him, indicating divine intervention).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient myths and religious stories, the concept of a dying and rising god was not uncommon in the Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures (e.g., Osiris in Egyptian mythology, or the story of Dionysus in Greek mythology).

However, in the Christian context, Jesus's resurrection is unique as it is seen not as a cyclical event or a mere allegory but as a historical and singular occurrence that has cosmic significance for the redemption of all humanity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the prediction of death followed by resurrection flies in the face of the biological understanding of life and death.

Resurrection is not feasible from a biological or medical standpoint, as death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain life.

Thus, the resurrection is considered a supernatural event that cannot be explained or replicated through science.

Commentaries

Experts and commentators have different views on Matthew 17:23.

Some stress the importance of Jesus preparing his disciples for the traumatic events to come, others point out that the verse shows the fulfillment of scriptural prophecy and divine will.

There is agreement that Jesus’s plain statement of his death and resurrection was meant to fortify His disciples' faith for the trials they would face, even though they did not fully understand His message at the time.

Commentators also note the emotional response of the disciples, reflecting the human difficulty in accepting suffering and loss as part of God’s plan.