New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 20:18

The Last Will Be First

“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death Matthew 20:18 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 20:18, in plain English

Jesus says, 'We're going to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They'll condemn Him to death.'

Why it's here

Jesus tells them plainly — the religious leaders will turn against Him. He walks into this with His eyes wide open.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks about Himself in the third person, but the disciples know exactly who He means.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus doesn't sugarcoat it. He tells them the people who should know God best will be the ones to condemn Him.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus predicts His betrayal to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn Him to death — naming the Jewish religious leadership as the agents of His trial.

Language and setting

The specificity increases with each passion prediction; here Jesus names the chief priests and scribes as His accusers and condemners.

Voice

Jesus prophesies His own betrayal and condemnation by the religious establishment.

Significance

Jesus reveals that the journey to Jerusalem ends in betrayal — the very religious leaders who should receive Him will condemn Him.

In context

Matthew 20:16–20

16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said,

18“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death

19and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”

20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.

Read all of Matthew 20 — Workers hired at day's end receive the same wage as those who sweated since dawn. God's generosity offends our scorekeeping instincts.

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