22While they were gathered together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of men, [17:23] and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were deeply grieved.
MAT 17:22-23
The Second Prediction of the Passion
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Galilee, Jesus’ prediction of His betrayal, death, and resurrection would have been deeply unsettling to His disciples. The term 'Son of Man' carried messianic connotations rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, evoking expectations of divine authority and vindication. However, the idea of betrayal and execution by human hands would have clashed with Jewish hopes for a triumphant Messiah who would overthrow Roman oppression. The disciples’ grief reflects not only personal sorrow but also the dissonance between Jesus’ words and their cultural expectations. In a society shaped by honor-shame dynamics, the notion of a leader being handed over to enemies and killed would have been seen as a profound dishonor. The mention of resurrection on the third day, while cryptic, hinted at divine reversal, but this would have been difficult for the disciples to grasp fully, as resurrection theology in Second-Temple Judaism was often associated with the general resurrection at the end of the age, not an individual event.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 17:22
- KJV
- And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
- BSB
- When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.
- Koinōnos
- While they were gathered together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of men,
MAT 17:23
- KJV
- And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
- BSB
- They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.
- Koinōnos
- and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were deeply grieved.
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, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day”
Cited to ground: Jesus’ prediction of His betrayal, death, and resurrection
›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: resurrection theology in Second-Temple Judaism was often associated with the general resurrection at the end of the age, not an individual event
Translator's notes
MAT 17:22
- When are abiding:The word translated 'When they were abiding' here carries the sense of being gathered together or assembled, suggesting a specific, intentional coming together of the group.
- to be betrayed:The word translated 'to be betrayed' often meant to hand over or deliver someone or something, sometimes for a specific purpose or into the custody of another, not always implying treachery.
MAT 17:23
- they were grieved:The word translated 'they were grieved' describes a deep emotional pain or sorrow, often to the point of distress or vexation, indicating a profound inner suffering.