31Having taken aside the Twelve, Jesus said to them: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things written through the prophets to the Son of Man will be accomplished. [18:32] For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and will be insulted and will be spit upon, [18:33] and having flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise." [18:34] And they understood none of these things, and this declaration was hidden from them, and they were not knowing the things being spoken.
LUK 18:31-34
The Third Prediction of the Passion
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish context, Jerusalem was the center of religious and political life, and 'going up' to it carried deep significance, especially during pilgrimage festivals. The Twelve, as Jesus’ closest followers, would have understood this journey as part of their Messianic expectations. However, Jesus’ prediction of betrayal, mockery, and death at the hands of Gentiles (Romans) would have been jarring. The term (insulted) evoked the public humiliation and degradation typical of Roman punishment, particularly crucifixion, which was reserved for slaves and rebels. The mention of rising on the third day might have echoed Jewish resurrection hope, but the Twelve’s lack of understanding suggests they could not reconcile this with the shameful death Jesus described. The secrecy ( hidden) aligns with the Messianic secret motif in Luke, where Jesus’ identity and mission are gradually revealed. The Twelve’s confusion reflects the tension between Jewish Messianic expectations of triumph and Jesus’ path of suffering.
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How other translations render this
LUK 18:31
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
- Koinōnos
- Having taken aside the Twelve, Jesus said to them: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things written through the prophets to the Son of Man will be accomplished.
LUK 18:32
- KJV
- For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
- BSB
- He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
- Koinōnos
- For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and will be insulted and will be spit upon,
LUK 18:33
- KJV
- And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
- BSB
- They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.”
- Koinōnos
- and having flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.
LUK 18:34
- KJV
- And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
- BSB
- But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.
- Koinōnos
- And they understood none of these things, and this declaration was hidden from them, and they were not knowing the things being spoken.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross”
Cited to ground: Jesus’ prediction of betrayal, mockery, and death at the hands of Gentiles (Romans) would have been jarring.
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“for he appeared to them alive again the third day; 10 as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.”
Cited to ground: The mention of rising on the third day might have echoed Jewish resurrection hope
Translator's notes
LUK 18:31
- Having taken aside:The word translated 'Having taken aside' implies a deliberate, private action, often with the purpose of giving instruction or special attention, not just a casual leading away.
LUK 18:32
- will be insulted:The term translated 'will be insulted' carries a strong sense of being treated with contempt, violence, or outrageous abuse, often involving public shaming or physical harm.
LUK 18:34
- declaration:The word translated 'declaration' refers to a spoken word or saying, often with the implication of a significant statement, pronouncement, or even a divine utterance.
- they were knowing:The word translated 'they were knowing' describes a process of coming to know or perceiving, rather than a static state of already possessing knowledge. It suggests an ongoing or developing understanding.