Single lesson
Jesus Predicts His Death on the Way to Jerusalem
Matthew 20:17–19; Mark 10:32–34; Luke 18:31–34
Jesus tells the twelve what will happen in Jerusalem before it happens. In these verses, he speaks clearly about suffering, death and rising again, while the disciples still do not understand what he means.
Before you teach
Matthew, Mark and Luke each show Jesus travelling toward Jerusalem and taking the twelve aside to speak privately. Mark notes that Jesus was going in front, with amazement and fear around him. Luke adds that what was written concerning the Son of Man would be completed, yet the disciples did not understand.
Students will identify what Jesus predicted on the way to Jerusalem and explain that the disciples heard his words before they understood them.
Welcome: Listen for what Jesus says
5 minInvite the group to listen for repeated ideas as the passage is read from Matthew, Mark and Luke. Explain that Jesus takes the twelve aside and tells them what is going to happen in Jerusalem. Ask children to notice who hears this message and what Jesus says will happen next.
Matthew 20:17, Mark 10:32, Luke 18:31
Read and explain: What Jesus predicts
8 minRead the verses slowly. Help the children list the parts of Jesus’ prediction in order: going to Jerusalem, being delivered to the chief priests and scribes, being condemned, handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, killed or crucified, and rising on the third day. Explain that “Son of Man” is the title Jesus uses for himself here.
Matthew 20:18, Matthew 20:19, Mark 10:33, Mark 10:34, Luke 18:31, Luke 18:32, Luke 18:33
Discuss: Fear, amazement and misunderstanding
6 minPoint out that Mark says people were amazed and afraid as Jesus went ahead on the road. Luke says the disciples did not understand these words. Discuss how the passage shows both Jesus’ clear message and the disciples’ lack of understanding. Keep the focus on what the verses say, not on guessing details they do not give.
Mark 10:32, Luke 18:34
Make and respond: Third-day reminder card
7 minChildren choose a short sentence from the passage for a reminder card, such as “On the third day he will rise again”. On one side, they write the words. On the other, they draw simple symbols from the passage such as a road, the number 12, or the words “going up to Jerusalem”. Then they share why that phrase matters in this reading.
Mark 10:34, Luke 18:31, Matthew 20:17
Closing: What this teaches us
4 minFinish by reviewing the main teaching: Jesus knew what was ahead and told the twelve. Even though they did not understand at the time, his words were clear. Encourage students to remember one true thing from the passage about Jesus’ journey, suffering or rising again, and say it aloud together.
Matthew 20:18, Matthew 20:19, Luke 18:34
Questions to explore
What events does Jesus say will happen to the Son of Man on the way to Jerusalem?
Answer by putting the details in the order Jesus gives them, including being handed over, suffering, death and rising again.
Matthew 20:18, Matthew 20:19, Mark 10:33, Mark 10:34, Luke 18:32, Luke 18:33
What does Mark show about the mood on the road before Jesus speaks?
Look for the words that describe Jesus, the people following, and how they felt as they went up to Jerusalem.
Mark 10:32
How does Luke describe the disciples’ response to Jesus’ words?
Use Luke’s exact idea that they did not understand what was said, even after hearing it.
Luke 18:34
Make, think or respond
Third-Day Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain card or paper
- pencils or markers
- crayons
- Bible text written out or read aloud
Try it together
- Read one of the prediction verses again and let each child choose a short line to remember.
- Fold or divide the card into two sides.
- Write the chosen words on the front, such as “On the third day he will rise again”.
- Draw simple pictures or symbols from the passage on the back, such as a road to Jerusalem or a group of twelve.
- Invite each child to show the card and explain how it matches the passage.
The card helps children remember that Jesus told the twelve what would happen in Jerusalem, including that he would rise again on the third day.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, give two or three picture prompts and let them match each picture to a line from the passage before making the card.
- For older children, compare one detail each from Matthew, Mark and Luke and ask them to explain what each account especially notices.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you that you spoke clearly to your disciples on the way to Jerusalem. Help us listen carefully to your words and remember that you said you would rise again on the third day. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 20
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up.”
Mark 10
32 They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.
34 They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
Luke 18
31 He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.
32 For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
33 They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”
34 They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.