My Walk Through the Book of Matthew by Annette Godtland

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19)

17Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again."

This is the third time that Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. This is very important for the disciples to understand. But is that the only significance of Jesus predicting it these three times? Is there any significance in when and where He said it, or in the exact wording He used?

The first time He predicted His death and resurrection was in Matthew 16:21
21From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

This was right after Jesus asked them who they say He is. The disciples were finally starting to understand that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter's reaction to this statement from Jesus was to rebuke Him, to deny that such a thing should have to happen to Jesus.

The second time was in Matthew 17:22-23:
22Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

This was right after a man brought to Him his epileptic son whose demon the disciples were unable to cast out. Jesus said it was due to their little faith. The disciples reaction to this second prediction from Jesus was sorrow.

This third time is right after Jesus talks of the reward in heaven of everyone being the same, regardless how late they came to work for the kingdom of God. What does Jesus' death and resurrection have to do with the parable of the workers in the vineyard? Everything! Is it fair that those who deserve the reward more only get the same reward who deserve it less? No. But Jesus' death and resurrection is what makes it fair. He will pay the price so it is fair for everyone, even those who do not deserve it.

Jesus is the Son of the living God. His death and resurrection must happen. Faith is needed even through sorrow. Is it fair? No, but it is what will get us our undeserved reward in heaven.

There are three predictions. Each gives more detail of His deliverance and His death. This time it is not a warning of just the chief priests who they knew were trying to get rid of Jesus, but also includes the fact that the Gentiles will play a part in His death too. The other two predictions simply said He would be killed. This prediction hints more at the public suffering and death that is to come.

Jesus' death will not be some murder in a dark alley or quietly on some back road in the wilderness. It will be a public execution for all to see. Both Jews and Gentiles will play a part in this. Both Jews and Gentiles will be affected by this. Jesus' outreach doesn't end with His disciples. His life, death, and resurrection will impact all lives.