Matthew 20:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus foretells that in Jerusalem the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death.
What Does Matthew 20:18 Mean?
Jesus speaks with startling clarity. He names the destination, Jerusalem, and the outcome: the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, the religious authorities, who will condemn him to death. This is the third time He has foretold His suffering, and now the details grow sharper and the hour draws near.
That He calls Himself the Son of man, a title both humble and laden with glory, underscores that He goes as a willing servant of God's purpose. None of this overtakes Him by surprise; He foresees the betrayal and the sentence and presses forward anyway. Here is love that chooses the cross with full knowledge. The road to Jerusalem is not a tragedy stumbled into but a path embraced for the sake of those He came to save.
Matthew 20:18 in the Original Language
paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), 'betrayed' -- to hand over or deliver up into another's power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 20:18
What does Matthew 20:18 mean?
Jesus foretells that in Jerusalem the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, who will condemn him to death.