What does Matthew 20:17 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 20:17 describes an event where Jesus is on the journey toward Jerusalem with His twelve disciples. In this particular moment, He decides to take them aside, away from the crowds, and speak to them privately. Here, Jesus is about to deliver an important message to His closest followers.

The significance of Him "going up to Jerusalem" underscores the solemnity and determination of Jesus as He approaches the city where He knows He will suffer, die, and rise again.

By taking the disciples "apart in the way," it suggests that Jesus wanted a moment of intimacy and seriousness to impart what was to come - foretelling His impending passion, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The verse sets the stage for the detailed predictions Jesus gives in the following verses concerning His suffering and death. It accentuates the deliberate path Jesus takes to fulfill the prophecies and the redemptive plan of God.

Historical Context

This event occurs during the later phase of Jesus’ ministry.

The journey "up to Jerusalem" is Jesus’ final trip to the city, which takes place during the time of Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.

The geographical "up" is accurate because Jerusalem sits at a higher elevation than the surrounding area.

The disciples understood the significance of Jerusalem as the center of Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple.

However, they might not have fully grasped the significance of Jesus' predictions about His upcoming sufferings there, despite Him speaking about this previously.

During this historical period, Messianic expectations were varied.

Some Jews expected a political Messiah who would free them from Roman rule. It's likely that some of the twelve held similar views, failing to understand that Jesus' mission was to bring spiritual salvation rather than political liberation.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse captures several key themes:

Divine Foreknowledge: The awareness Jesus has of His forthcoming death implies a divine foreknowledge and control over the events that would transpire. 2.

Messianic Secret: The private setting in which Jesus shares this knowledge with His disciples reflects the motif of the Messianic Secret, wherein His identity and mission are revealed progressively and privately. 3.

Suffering Messiah: Jesus challenges the prevalent Jewish expectation of a triumphant political Messiah by presenting Himself as the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah 53. 4.

Obedience to God's Will: Jesus' unwavering resolve to go to Jerusalem, despite knowing the consequences, exemplifies perfect obedience to God's redemptive plan.

Multiple perspectives exist regarding the interpretation of this event.

A traditional Christian view sees this as an affirmation of Jesus’ divine mission.

Conversely, some critical scholars might suggest that this was a post-resurrection theological construction by the early church rather than a literal prediction by Jesus.

Practical Applications

From this verse, believers can draw several practical lessons:

1. Facing Hardships: Just as Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, knowing what awaited Him, believers are encouraged to face their own trials with courage and trust in God's plan.
2. Teachable Spirit: The disciples listening to Jesus in a private setting exemplifies the importance of humility and a willingness to learn, even when teachings are difficult to understand or accept.
3. Intimate Fellowship: The value of private, intimate fellowship with God, where He can impart crucial understanding and comfort, is highlighted by Jesus taking the disciples "apart."

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."
• Mark 10:32-34: "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.

And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him."

• Luke 18:31-33: "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."

Language Study

The original Greek text includes words:

• "ἀνέβαινεν" (anebainen): often translated as "going up," indicating a physical ascent to Jerusalem, as well as the solemn progress to fulfill His mission.
• "μαθητάς" (mathētas): This term for "disciples" generally refers to pupils or followers, emphasizing their relationship to Jesus as their teacher.

Understanding these words in their original context enriches the meaning of Jesus leading His dedicated followers and teaching them important truths about His destiny.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultural and religious mythology, the notion of a god or hero facing their destiny with foreknowledge is not uncommon. Figures in various myths often have prophecies regarding their future, such as Oedipus in Greek mythology.

However, the unique aspect of the Christian narrative is that Jesus willingly accepts and moves toward a tragic fate not as a consequence of hubris or fate, but as an act of sacrificial love for humanity's salvation.

Scientific Perspectives

Interpreting this verse from a scientific perspective doesn’t directly bear much significance, as it is a narrative recounting a moment in Jesus' journey.

However, the verse does emphasize the human capacity for predicting and moving towards our future understanding, which aligns with what psychology understands about human agency and behavior; yet, this innate human ability is seen in a divine light in the context of the verse.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this passage:

• William Barclay notes the courage of Jesus, facing His destiny in Jerusalem with open eyes and a committed heart.
• John Calvin sees this event as a testament to Jesus preparing His disciples for the scandal of the cross, that they might not be disheartened when it occurred.
• **Warren W.

Wiersbe** points out that this is not the first time Jesus warned His disciples about the events that would unfold in Jerusalem, indicating the importance of repetition in teaching profound truths.

Many commentaries emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, Jesus' role as a suffering Messiah, and the preparation of the disciples for the impending trials of their faith.