Read & explore together
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
Jesus tells his disciples again that he will be handed over, killed, and raised on the third day. These short sayings are important because they show that Jesus spoke plainly about what was coming, even when his disciples did not understand.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
This passage gathers three brief reports from Matthew, Mark, and Luke about the same kind of teaching. In Galilee, while people were impressed by Jesus and while he travelled quietly, Jesus turned to his disciples and spoke directly about the Son of Man being delivered into human hands, killed, and raised.
Matthew 17:22–23; Mark 9:30–32; Luke 9:43–45Main takeaway
Jesus deliberately taught his disciples about his coming death and rising, even though they were sorrowful and did not yet understand.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Jesus speaks privately to his disciplesMatthew says this happened while they were staying in Galilee. Mark adds that Jesus passed through Galilee without wanting public attention because he was teaching his disciples.
Explanation
Matthew says this happened while they were staying in Galilee. Mark adds that Jesus passed through Galilee without wanting public attention because he was teaching his disciples. Luke also shows a shift from the amazed crowd to Jesus addressing his disciples directly. The focus here is deliberate instruction, not a public announcement.
02The Son of Man will be handed overIn all three accounts, Jesus says the Son of Man will be delivered or handed over into the hands of men.
Explanation
In all three accounts, Jesus says the Son of Man will be delivered or handed over into the hands of men. This wording highlights rejection by human beings. Luke tells the disciples to let these words sink into their ears, showing that Jesus wanted this warning to be heard carefully and remembered.
03Jesus includes both death and risingMatthew and Mark record more of Jesus’ words. He says people will kill him, yet that is not the end.
Explanation
Matthew and Mark record more of Jesus’ words. He says people will kill him, yet that is not the end. Matthew says he will be raised on the third day, and Mark says that when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again. The prediction holds death and life together.
04The disciples react with sorrow, confusion, and fearMatthew says the disciples were exceedingly sorry. Mark and Luke say they did not understand what Jesus meant, and both add that they were afraid to ask him about it.
Explanation
Matthew says the disciples were exceedingly sorry. Mark and Luke say they did not understand what Jesus meant, and both add that they were afraid to ask him about it. Luke also says the saying was concealed from them so they did not perceive it. The passage shows a real gap between Jesus’ words and the disciples’ understanding.
Read the accounts alongside one another
Keep each reading’s setting and wording in view.
Scroll across to compare the readings.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What different setting details show that Jesus was intentionally teaching his disciples here?
Look for where they were, what Jesus wanted people to know or not know, and who he spoke to directly.
02What exactly does Jesus say will happen to the Son of Man?
List the steps in the order Jesus gives them: being handed over, being killed, and then rising on the third day.
03How do the disciples respond, and what does that show about their understanding?
Compare Matthew’s note about sorrow with Mark and Luke’s notes about not understanding and being afraid to ask.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Matthew 17:22–23
22While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,
23and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
Mark 9:30–32
30They went out from there and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it,
31for he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.”
32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Luke 9:43–45
43They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
44“Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men.”
45But they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.