Luke 17:25

KJV

But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} first {G4412} must {G1163} he {G846} suffer {G3958} many things {G4183}, and {G2532} be rejected {G593} of {G575} this {G5026} generation {G1074}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But first he must endure horrible suffering and be rejected by this generation.

Berean Standard Bible

But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

American Standard Version

But first must he suffer many things and be rejected of this generation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:25 serves as a crucial interjection in Jesus's discourse on the coming of the Son of Man, asserting a divine necessity for His suffering and rejection before His glorious return. This verse corrects prevailing expectations of an immediate, triumphant Messianic kingdom, emphasizing instead the predetermined path of humiliation and sacrifice that the Messiah must endure at the hands of "this generation" as part of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears within a larger discourse by Jesus concerning the nature and timing of the kingdom of God and the coming of the Son of Man. Beginning in [Luke 17:20](/luke/17-20 "Luke 17:20 - The Kingdom of God"), Jesus first clarifies that the kingdom is not an observable, external event but is "within you" or "among you." He then shifts to a future, visible manifestation of the Son of Man, likening it to the sudden and overwhelming events of Noah's flood and the destruction of Sodom in [Luke 17:26-30](/luke/17-26-30 "Luke 17:26-30 - Days of the Son of Man"). Luke 17:25 acts as a vital, sobering pause in this eschatological teaching, inserting the prerequisite of suffering and rejection before the promised glory, thus tempering any premature or triumphalist expectations of His second coming. It provides a necessary theological bridge between His present ministry and His future return.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus's audience, primarily Jewish, lived under Roman occupation and harbored strong messianic expectations rooted in Old Testament prophecies. However, these expectations largely focused on a conquering, Davidic king who would liberate Israel from foreign rule and establish a glorious earthly kingdom (e.g., [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Coming King")). The idea of a Messiah who would suffer and be rejected was deeply counter-cultural and often misunderstood, despite prophecies like those found in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Jesus's declaration in Luke 17:25 directly confronts these nationalistic and triumphalist hopes, reorienting His disciples' understanding toward a spiritual redemption achieved through sacrifice rather than political overthrow. The "generation" refers to the contemporary Jewish leadership and populace who would ultimately condemn Him.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 17:25 profoundly contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. The most prominent is the **Divine Necessity of Suffering**, captured by the word "must" (Greek: _dei_), indicating that Christ's passion was not an accident but a divinely ordained, essential component of God's redemptive plan. This theme is echoed throughout Luke, notably in Jesus's post-resurrection explanation to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, where He asks, "[Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?](/luke/24-26 "Luke 24:26 - Christ's Necessary Suffering")" Another crucial theme is the **Rejection of the Messiah**, highlighting the tragic reality that Israel, to whom He came, largely did not receive Him. This rejection is a recurring motif, from [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own") to the apostles' later experiences. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the **Paradox of Glory Through Suffering**, a foundational Christian truth that ultimate triumph and exaltation are achieved not through worldly power but through humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God's will, a pattern that believers are also called to follow ([Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This word conveys a divine obligation or necessity. It implies that Jesus's suffering was not merely a possibility or an unfortunate turn of events, but a fixed, unalterable part of God's sovereign plan for the redemption of humanity. It was behoved, needful, and ought to happen according to God's will.
* **suffer (Greek, _páschō'_):** This verb denotes experiencing a sensation or impression, typically a painful one. In the context of Jesus, it refers to His passion, encompassing all the physical, emotional, and spiritual agony He endured leading up to and including His crucifixion. It signifies a profound, personal experience of pain and affliction.
* **rejected (Greek, _apodokimázō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to test" or "to approve," this term signifies to disapprove after examination, to repudiate, or to cast off. It implies that Jesus was scrutinized, evaluated, and ultimately deemed unacceptable or unworthy by those in authority, despite His blameless life and divine credentials. It speaks to a deliberate, conscious act of rejection by the generation He came to save.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But first must he suffer many things":** This clause emphasizes the divine imperative and the extensive nature of Jesus's suffering. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast to the glorious, immediate coming of the Son of Man that the disciples might have anticipated. The word "first" (G4412, _prōton_) establishes a chronological and theological priority: suffering precedes glory. The phrase "many things" (G4183, _polýs_) indicates the multifaceted and intense nature of His passion, encompassing betrayal, false accusations, physical abuse, and the spiritual burden of bearing the world's sin.
* **"and be rejected of this generation":** This second clause specifies the agent and nature of His suffering. The "rejection" (G593, _apodokimázō_) is not accidental but a deliberate act of disapproval and repudiation. It highlights the tragic reality that the very people to whom He was sent, "this generation" (G1074, _geneá_), referring to the contemporary Jewish people and their leaders, would be the instruments of His rejection and condemnation. This rejection was a necessary component of the divine plan, leading to His atoning death.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:25 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus explicitly predicts His impending suffering and rejection, setting the stage for the Passion narrative that will unfold later in the Gospel. This serves to underscore the divine intentionality behind these events. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** or **Antithesis**, as Jesus juxtaposes the expected glorious advent of the Son of Man with the necessary prior period of humiliation and suffering. This creates a theological tension that challenges the audience's preconceived notions of the Messiah. Furthermore, the use of the word "must" (Greek: _deî_) conveys **Divine Imperative**, highlighting the unalterable nature of God's redemptive plan and Jesus's submission to it. Finally, the phrase "this generation" can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part (the contemporary generation) stands for the whole (humanity's general tendency to reject divine truth and its messengers), though in this immediate context, it primarily refers to the specific historical rejection by the Jewish leadership and people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:25 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Christ's first coming and the pathway to His ultimate glory. It reveals that God's plan for redemption was not one of immediate, overwhelming power, but one of sacrificial love and suffering. This divine necessity for Christ's suffering is a profound theological truth, demonstrating that the atonement for sin required the perfect, willing sacrifice of the Son of God. It underscores the depth of human sinfulness that necessitated such a cost, and the boundless love of God who provided it. The rejection of Jesus by "this generation" also highlights the tragic reality of human unbelief and resistance to divine truth, a pattern that continues throughout history.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death")
* [Acts 3:18](/acts/3-18 "Acts 3:18 - God's Fulfillment of Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:25 offers a sobering yet profoundly hopeful message for believers today. It reminds us that God's ways are often counter-intuitive to human expectations. Just as Christ's path to glory involved suffering and rejection, so too may the path of His followers. This verse calls us to embrace a realistic view of Christian discipleship, acknowledging that faithfulness to the Gospel may lead to misunderstanding, opposition, or even suffering in a world that often rejects Christ and His truth. It cultivates patience, urging us not to seek immediate gratification or worldly triumph, but to trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate vindication. Furthermore, it deepens our appreciation for the immense cost of our salvation, fostering humility and gratitude for Christ's willing sacrifice. This understanding empowers us to persevere through difficulties, knowing that suffering for Christ is a participation in His own experience and a prelude to future glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "must" of Christ's suffering reshape your view of God's plan for your own life, especially in times of difficulty?**
* **In what ways might "this generation" (or our contemporary culture) still reject Christ and His teachings today, and how should believers respond?**
* **How does the sequence of suffering before glory in Christ's life inform your expectations for the Christian journey?**

### FAQ

**Why was it "necessary" for Jesus to suffer and be rejected?**

Answer: The necessity (Greek: _deî_) for Jesus to suffer and be rejected was rooted in God's eternal redemptive plan, prophesied throughout the Old Testament. It was not an accident but a divine imperative for the atonement of humanity's sins. As the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus had to offer Himself as a blameless sacrifice to satisfy God's justice and reconcile humanity to Him. His suffering fulfilled prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) and demonstrated the depth of God's love and the severity of sin. His rejection by "this generation" was the human instrument through which this divine plan was executed, leading to His crucifixion and resurrection, which are central to salvation ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:25 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the entirety of Jesus's earthly ministry, culminating in His Passion, death, and resurrection. The "must" of His suffering and rejection points directly to His role as the [Suffering Servant](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") prophesied by Isaiah, who would bear the iniquities of many. His willing submission to this divine necessity, despite its immense pain, demonstrates His perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). The rejection by "this generation" was not a defeat but the very means by which God accomplished the greatest victory over sin and death. Through His rejection and crucifixion, Jesus became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate atoning sacrifice. His suffering was the prerequisite for His glorification, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of God ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")). Thus, this verse, while speaking of future events, anchors the entire Gospel narrative in the foundational truth that the Messiah's path to glory was uniquely paved through suffering and self-sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:21

¶ 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.

Luke 9:22

Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Mark 8:31

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Mark 12:10

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

John 1:11

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.