“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” – Matthew 16:21
Jesus Foretelling His Passion
Throughout the scriptures, we notice that Jesus was wholly aware of the path He was meant to walk. He repeatedly communicated to His disciples about His impending suffering, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. Such moments serve as reminders for us of His bravery in facing what was to come. We can reflect on how He willingly accepted His mission, demonstrating incredible love for us, and showing how God’s plan unfolded beautifully. The predictions made by Jesus indicate His divine authority and deepen our belief in His promises which were fulfilled, giving us hope today.
Matthew 17:22-23
“When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day, he will be raised to life.’ And the disciples were filled with grief.” – Matthew 17:22-23
Matthew 20:18-19
“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day, he will be raised to life!” – Matthew 20:18-19
Luke 9:22
“And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.'” – Luke 9:22
Mark 8:31
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” – Mark 8:31
John 2:19
“Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'” – John 2:19
Jesus and the Sign of Jonah
In our exploration of Jesus predicting His death, we see that He used powerful symbols to reveal His future. One such symbol is Jonah, who spent three days in the belly of a great fish. When Jesus mentions this, He introduces a profound truth about His resurrection. In doing so, He not only points to His death but also reinforces the hope of new life. The comparison illustrates the importance of faith, as it calls us to trust in the truth of His word, even when facing despair. Jesus’ references remind us that God is always in control, and we can find solace in His promises.
Matthew 12:40
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” – Matthew 12:40
Matthew 16:4
“A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.” – Matthew 16:4
Luke 11:30
“For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be a sign to this generation.” – Luke 11:30
Matthew 27:63
“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days, I will rise again.'” – Matthew 27:63
Mark 8:31
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” – Mark 8:31
Clarifying Purpose Through Predictions
Jesus not only foretold His suffering and death but did so with a purpose. In sharing these predictions, He clarified the mission that was set before Him. This helps us to understand that these events were not random but part of a divine plan. Knowing this reassures us that in our lives, there is purpose in the struggles we face too. We can lean into God during challenging times because Jesus showed us that it can lead to something greater. By recognizing Jesus’ ultimate purpose, we can see our own challenges in a new light, filled with hope and understanding.
Luke 18:31-33
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.'” – Luke 18:31-33
Mark 9:31
“He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.'” – Mark 9:31
Luke 24:6-7
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” – Luke 24:6-7
John 10:17-18
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” – John 10:17-18
John 12:32
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” – John 12:32
In Prophecy and Fulfillment
Jesus’ predictions of His death were also linked to Old Testament prophecies. This shows us how intertwined the scriptures are, with God’s plans continuously unveiled. As believers, we can find confidence in knowing that God’s word consistently comes to fruition. Remarkable prophecies give us a deeper understanding of the faith we carry. This helps us see that Jesus was the expected Messiah foretold long before His arrival. It brings us a sense of completeness in believing that God’s promises endures forever and assures us that He will keep His word in our lives as well.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
Psalm 22:16
“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.” – Psalm 22:16
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” – Isaiah 53:10
Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” – Zechariah 12:10
Daniel 9:26
“After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” – Daniel 9:26
Preparation for His Sacrifice
As we contemplate Jesus predicting His death, it becomes clear that He was preparing not only Himself but also His disciples for the sacrifice that was about to take place. He wanted them to understand the meaning and significance of His mission. By teaching them about His suffering, Jesus ensured that they could carry on His message of love, grace, and redemption. It encourages us, too, to prepare our hearts and minds for serving others. Just as Jesus shared openly with His disciples, we are reminded to embrace transparency as we reflect on our faith journey, allowing us to share God’s truth with others.
John 12:27
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” – John 12:27
Matthew 24:29-30
“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:29-30
Matthew 9:15
“Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'” – Matthew 9:15
Luke 22:15
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'” – Luke 22:15
John 16:20
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” – John 16:20
Hope in His Resurrection
Finally, we should never overlook the hope Jesus gave us through His predictions of death and resurrection. His promise to rise on the third day uplifts our spirits, reminding us that every end ushers in a new beginning. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith, symbolizing triumph over sin and death. In moments of despair, we can hold fast to the truth that Jesus is our living hope. This knowledge can carry us through life’s challenges, motivating us to share the joy of salvation with others.
1 Corinthians 15:4
“That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:4
Luke 24:34
“And saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.'” – Luke 24:34
Romans 6:9
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” – Romans 6:9
Revelation 1:18
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” – Revelation 1:18
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;'” – John 11:25
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these Bible verses about Jesus predicting His death, we come to understand the degree of His love and the fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity. It reassures us of the profound purpose behind His sacrifice and the hope that comes from His resurrection. Amid challenges in life, we can hold tightly to the truth that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Each prediction by Jesus draws us closer to his heart and demands a response from us as believers. We can embrace both His suffering and victory, allowing it to shape our perspective and actions. This journey calls us to be messengers of hope and truth as we rely on Him in our lives.
If you’re interested in further exploring related topics, we invite you to check out these insightful articles on future goals and future events.