Matthew 17:22-23 · Bible study
Matthew 17:22-23 Commentary: Second Passion Prediction
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Jesus' second announcement of his death cause deep sorrow? Explore the tension between divine sovereignty and human betrayal in Matthew 17:22-23.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus predicts his betrayal, death, and resurrection; the disciples respond with deep grief.
- Key words: παραδίδοσθαι (delivered/betrayed), μέλλει (is about), ἐγερθήσεται (will be raised).
- Main debate: Is Jesus' delivery primarily an act of God or of human treachery? Both are present.
- Theological theme: Suffering precedes glory; divine sovereignty works through human sin.
- Best use: Teaching on discipleship, preparation for suffering, comfort in grief.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
22When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.
23They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men;
23and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
22And while they are living in Galilee, Jesus said to them, `The Son of Man is about to be delivered up to the hands of men,
23and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise,' and they were exceeding sorry.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man is about to be delivered up into [the] hands of men,
23and they shall kill him; and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were greatly grieved.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
22And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And they were troubled exceedingly.
23And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the didrachmas, came to Peter, and said to him: Doth not your master pay the didrachma?
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 17:22
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this passage is the second explicit passion prediction (the first being Matthew 16:21). Jesus repeats the announcement because the disciples had not grasped it. Clarke highlights the verb μελλει παραδίδοσθαι, 'is about to be delivered', arguing the agency is primarily God's counsel, not Judas's treachery. Barnes counters that 'betrayed' points to Judas's act, while still acknowledging God's overarching plan. Both agree that the disciples' sorrow, described as 'exceedingly sorry' (ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα), shows their inability to reconcile a suffering Messiah with their Messianic hopes. Calvin notes their minds were covered by 'the thick veil of a foolish imagination.' The Cambridge Bible adds that Mark and Luke both record they 'understood not this saying.' So there is consensus: Jesus forewarns them repeatedly to fortify their faith, but they hear only the suffering, not the resurrection promise.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine delivery view: Clarke and Grotius: the verb παραδίδοσθαι can mean 'delivered up' by God's counsel, supported by Acts 4:27-28.
- Human betrayal view: Barnes: Jesus was betrayed by Judas (Matthew 26:16) and handed over by the Jewish leaders. The word commonly means 'betray'.
What is clear: Jesus was delivered into human hands, killed, and raised on the third day, all according to God's plan.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of παραδίδοσθαι | Jesus is given over into the hands of others, resulting in his death. | Some Christians emphasize divine sovereignty (God delivers him up), while others stress human betrayal (Judas hands him over). Both affirm both aspects but differ on primary emphasis. |
| Reason for disciples' sorrow | The disciples grieved because they loved Jesus and feared for him. | Some argue their sorrow stemmed from misunderstanding (they had earthly kingdom hopes), while others see it as a natural, even faithful, response to the loss of their master. |
| Promise of resurrection | Jesus explicitly predicted his resurrection on the third day. | Some believe the disciples failed to comprehend the resurrection at all; others think they understood cognitively but could not feel its comfort amid grief. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This conversation takes place in Galilee, likely Capernaum, after the transfiguration and the healing of the demon-possessed boy. Jesus is now moving toward Jerusalem for the Passover feast, where he will be sacrificed (Clarke, Lange). Mark 9:30 notes Jesus passed through Galilee privately, wanting to avoid crowds and focus on preparing the Twelve. The atmosphere is charged: Peter, James, and John have just seen Jesus in glory, yet now he speaks of betrayal and death. The phrase 'the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men' uses the Greek term παραδίδοσθαι, which can mean both 'delivered up' (by God) and 'betrayed' (by Judas). Jesus deliberately uses this ambiguous term to show that his arrest is no accident but part of divine purpose. Culturally, a Messiah who suffered and died contradicted Jewish expectations of a conquering king. The disciples 'were afraid to ask him' (Mark 9:32), partly out of reverence and partly because they could not bear the thought. Jesus walks ahead of them, and they are amazed and afraid (Mark 10:32). This journey through Galilee is a turning point, the end of public ministry and the beginning of the road to the cross.
Textual Notes
Gill notes that some manuscript copies read 'sinful men' instead of simply 'men,' but the majority of manuscripts support the shorter reading. The WEB, KJV, ASV, BSB, YLT, Darby, and Douay all use 'men' without 'sinful.' The consulted sources note no other significant variants.
Reception History
This passage has been read during Lent and Passiontide across Christian traditions, often to highlight Jesus' voluntary suffering and the disciples' human weakness. Early church fathers like Origen saw it as prophecy fulfilled in history. Medieval writers, such as Thomas Aquinas, reflected on the sorrow as a model for compassion toward Christ. The Reformers, especially Calvin, emphasized how preconceived opinions blind the mind to spiritual truth. Modern readings apply the passage to grief, showing that faithful people can still feel deep sorrow even when they have been told of future hope. The dialogue between divine plan and human betrayal continues to shape sermons on the sovereignty of God through suffering.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus knows the road ahead. He announces his betrayal, death, and resurrection with certainty. His foreknowledge shows his voluntary submission to the Father's plan.
- The disciples hear only the pain. Despite clear words, they are 'exceedingly sorry' and fail to grasp the hope of the third day. Their preconceived ideas block understanding.
- Preparation through repetition. Jesus tells them a second time, and will tell them a third (Matthew 20:17-19). He repeats the lesson because they are slow to learn, and he is patient in love.
Five-point outline
- Setting: Private travel through Galilee, away from crowds.
- Statement: 'The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.'
- Eventuality: 'They will kill him.'
- Promise: 'The third day he will be raised up.'
- Response: 'They were exceedingly sorry.'
Illustration hooks
- A parent warning a child about an upcoming painful medical procedure, the child only hears the pain, not the healing that follows.
- A coach telling a team they will face a tough opponent, but if they endure, they will win the championship, the players focus on the struggle, not the goal.
- Receiving a difficult diagnosis but being told there is effective treatment, the initial shock overshadows the hope.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If God is in control, why does suffering still hurt so much?
- Why could the disciples not understand something so plain?
- How can we hold onto hope when we are in the middle of sorrow?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to sit with the disciples in their sorrow. Jesus speaks clearly, yet they feel only grief. The resurrection promise is there, but they cannot grasp it. In our own lives, we often hear good news and bad news at the same time. Which message do we focus on?
Discussion questions
- Read Matthew 17:22-23 aloud. What stands out to you in Jesus' words? What stands out in the disciples' reaction?
- Compare this passage with Matthew 16:21-23. What is similar? What is different about how Jesus says it and how the disciples respond?
- Why do you think the disciples were 'exceedingly sorry' instead of asking for clarification? What does their silence reveal?
- Jesus uses the word παραδίδοσθαι ('delivered up'). How does understanding both divine sovereignty (God delivers Jesus) and human betrayal (Judas hands him over) affect the meaning?
- In what situations have you found it hard to hear a promise of hope because of present pain?
- How can this passage help you when you face bad news? How could you help a friend who is grieving?
- If you were one of the disciples, what would you have said to Jesus after this announcement?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 16:21 | From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. |
| Matthew 16:28 | Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” |
| Matthew 20:17 | As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, |
| Matthew 20:18 | “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, |
| Matthew 24:10 | Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. |
| Matthew 26:16 | From that time he sought opportunity to betray him. |
| Matthew 26:46 | Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” |
| Mark 8:31 | He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke insists the Greek word means "delivered up," not "betrayed," shifting the emphasis from Judas's treachery to God's sovereign plan. Jesus was handed over by the Father's counsel to atone for the world's sin. The disciples grieved intensely, not from doubt, but from deep love for their suffering Master, even as they submitted to God's purpose.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that the disciples struggled not because Jesus spoke unclearly, but because they refused to accept what he said. Their sorrow and their fixed expectation of a triumphant Messiah made them slow and unwilling to believe that he would be betrayed and killed.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin sees the disciples' confusion as the blinding effect of their own settled expectations. They imagined Christ's kingdom would be universally welcomed, so the clear prediction of his death simply could not register. A vague devotion, not true understanding, kept them from abandoning him.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible notes observe that the disciples were so overwhelmed by Jesus’ prediction of his death that they completely missed the promise of his resurrection on the third day. Their sorrow came from fixing their eyes only on the suffering, not on the victory that would follow.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the irony that Jewish law strictly forbade betraying an Israelite to Gentiles, yet the Jews themselves delivered Jesus into Gentile hands. The disciples were deeply sorrowful, not because they fully understood the prophecy, but because they could not reconcile it with their hopes for an earthly kingdom.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB emphasizes this was a private journey through Galilee, not a public ministry tour. The repeated prophecy of betrayal hit the disciples harder now, their sorrow deepening as the words sank in. Their understanding remained clouded by stubborn prejudices, and they dared not ask for clarification.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange points out that the disciples' deep sorrow came because Jesus' death shattered their hopes for a Messianic earthly kingdom and immediate glory. The word "given up" adds the nuance of being surrendered,
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to the deep irony that Christ was betrayed into the hands of the very men he came to save, men from whom he might expect pity and gratitude. His perfect knowledge of all that awaited him only magnifies the love that made him willingly undertake the work of redemption, since his death as a sacrifice was necessary for the remission of sins.