New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 20:19

The Last Will Be First

and 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.” Matthew 20:19 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Matthew 20:19, in plain English

He continues: 'They'll hand Him to the Romans to be mocked, whipped, and crucified. But on the third day, He will rise again.'

Why it's here

The suffering is horrific, but Jesus doesn't end there. He always includes the resurrection — the suffering leads somewhere.

Who's speaking

Jesus tells the whole story: the worst thing followed by the best thing.

Where it sits in the story

It's the darkest prediction Jesus has given yet. But the last line changes everything: He will rise.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus adds that He will be handed to the Gentiles for mocking, flogging, and crucifixion — then raised on the third day, completing the passion-resurrection prediction.

Language and setting

This is the first explicit mention of crucifixion (staurōsai) in the passion predictions, and the inclusion of Gentile involvement reflects the historical Roman execution.

Voice

Jesus completes the prediction with details of Roman torture, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Significance

Jesus lays out the full sequence: Jewish condemnation, Gentile execution, and divine resurrection — suffering and glory intertwined.

In context

Matthew 20:17–21

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.

21“What do you want?” He inquired.

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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