Matthew 16:21 Meaning and Explanation
“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus begins to foretell his suffering, death, and rising on the third day.
What Does Matthew 16:21 Mean?
'From that time forth' marks a turning point. With the confession secured, Jesus begins to teach plainly what kind of Messiah he is. He must go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the leaders, be killed, and be raised on the third day. The word 'must' carries the weight of divine purpose.
This is the heart of the gospel, spoken before it happens. The cross is not an accident that overtakes Jesus but the path he willingly sets his face toward. And the suffering is never the last word: 'be raised again the third day' shines through the shadow. The Lord prepares his friends for the hardest truth and the brightest hope together, so that grief, when it comes, will not be without hope.
Matthew 16:21 in the Original Language
dei (δεῖ), 'must' -- it is necessary, expressing a binding divine purpose, not mere likelihood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:21
What does Matthew 16:21 mean?
Jesus begins to foretell his suffering, death, and rising on the third day.