Luke 18:31

KJV

¶ Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} he took {G3880} unto him the twelve {G1427}, and said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Behold {G2400}, we go up {G305} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414}, and {G2532} all things {G3956} that are written {G1125} by {G1223} the prophets {G4396} concerning the Son {G5207} of man {G444} shall be accomplished {G5055}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, taking the Twelve, Yeshua said to them, “We are now going up to Yerushalayim, where everything written through the prophets about the Son of Man will come true.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

American Standard Version

And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:31 records Jesus' third explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection, delivered to His twelve disciples as they journey towards Jerusalem. This solemn declaration underscores the divine necessity of His impending passion, emphasizing that His journey to the cross is not a tragic accident but the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Son of Man, thereby revealing God's sovereign plan for salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This profound declaration comes at a pivotal point in Luke's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God and the challenging encounter with the rich young ruler, as well as the healing of a blind man near Jericho. It is the third and most detailed of Jesus' passion predictions in Luke, building upon earlier, less explicit warnings in [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "First Passion Prediction") and [Luke 9:44](/luke/9-44 "Second Passion Prediction"). The placement of this prediction, just before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the ensuing passion narrative, heightens the dramatic tension. Critically, the verse is immediately followed by the disciples' profound lack of comprehension, as highlighted in [Luke 18:34](/luke/18-34 "Disciples' Lack of Understanding"), which underscores their spiritual blindness to the true nature of the Messiah's mission despite Jesus' clarity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus and His disciples are undertaking the final leg of their journey from Galilee, through Perea and Jericho, to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. This pilgrimage was a customary annual event for devout Jews. Jerusalem, as the religious and political heart of Judea, was the expected stage for the Messiah's grand arrival and the establishment of His kingdom. However, the prevailing Jewish messianic expectations were largely focused on a conquering, political liberator who would overthrow Roman oppression and restore Israel's national glory. The concept of a suffering and dying Messiah was deeply counter-cultural and scandalous, a profound theological stumbling block that contributed significantly to the disciples' inability to grasp Jesus' words.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 18:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. It highlights the **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge** of God, demonstrating that Jesus' path to suffering and death is not a tragic accident but the predetermined and necessary unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The explicit mention of "all things that are written by the prophets" underscores the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, emphasizing the continuity between the Old Testament's messianic expectations and Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Jesus' self-designation as the **Son of Man** reinforces His unique identity, encompassing both His true humanity and His authoritative, eschatological role, often linked to suffering and ultimate vindication, as seen in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"). Finally, the destination of Jerusalem emphasizes the **Centrality of Jerusalem** as the divinely appointed stage for the climactic events of salvation history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _paralambánō'_):** This verb signifies "to receive near," "to take along," or "to associate with oneself," often implying a deliberate, intentional gathering for a specific purpose. Here, Jesus purposefully "took aside" or "drew near" the twelve disciples, indicating a private, solemn, and significant communication intended exclusively for His inner circle. It highlights the gravity and intimacy of the revelation He is about to impart.
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** Meaning "to grave" or "to write," this word emphasizes the authoritative, enduring, and divinely inspired nature of the prophetic scriptures. It underscores that the events Jesus is about to undergo are not random or accidental, but have been meticulously recorded and foretold in God's word for centuries, affirming their divine origin and absolute certainty.
* **accomplished (Greek, _teléō'_):** This term means "to end," "complete," "execute," or "discharge" (a debt). It conveys the idea of bringing something to its destined conclusion, fulfilling a purpose, or perfecting a task. Here, it underscores the absolute certainty and divine orchestration of Jesus' passion, indicating that His suffering and death are not failures but the necessary and perfect culmination of God's redemptive plan, bringing all prophecies to their intended and perfect fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he took unto him the twelve,"**: This opening phrase highlights Jesus' intentionality in gathering His closest disciples. It signifies a private, solemn moment, setting apart this revelation from His public teachings. The number "twelve" emphasizes the apostolic core, the foundation of the new community, who are being prepared for the profound events ahead, even if they don't yet grasp their meaning.
* **"and said unto them,"**: This simple connective emphasizes that the following words are a direct, verbal communication from Jesus to His chosen followers, underscoring the authority and importance of His message.
* **"Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,"**: The imperative "Behold" (Greek: _idoú_) serves as an attention-grabber, signaling the gravity of what is to follow. The phrase "we go up" signifies a deliberate, determined journey, not merely a casual trip. Jerusalem, situated at a higher elevation, was the destination, but more importantly, it was the prophesied place where the Messiah's climactic work would unfold, a place of both glory and suffering.
* **"and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."**: This is the core of Jesus' declaration. "All things" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prophecies. The events are not partial fulfillments but a complete realization of what the "prophets" (Old Testament scriptures) foretold. The specific title "Son of Man" points to Jesus' unique identity as both fully human and divinely appointed, a figure whose suffering and vindication were foretold. The phrase "shall be accomplished" (Greek: _telésthetai_) conveys the absolute certainty and divine necessity of these events, indicating that God's plan, meticulously detailed in scripture, is now reaching its perfect and unavoidable culmination through Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:31 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological weight. **Foreshadowing** is paramount, as Jesus explicitly predicts His impending suffering and death, setting a somber tone for the journey to Jerusalem and preparing the reader (though not the disciples) for the passion narrative. There is profound **Irony** in the disciples' inability to comprehend Jesus' clear words, despite their proximity to Him and His repeated warnings (as noted in [Luke 18:34](/luke/18-34 "Disciples' Misunderstanding")). This dramatic irony highlights their spiritual blindness and the vast gap between their earthly expectations and God's divine plan. The phrase "all things that are written by the prophets shall be accomplished" serves as a powerful statement of **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing that the unfolding events are not random but part of a meticulously orchestrated divine plan, preordained and revealed through scripture. Furthermore, Jerusalem itself functions as a powerful **Symbol**, representing not only the center of Jewish worship but also the destined place of messianic suffering and ultimate triumph, a stage for the culmination of God's redemptive history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:31 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's redemptive plan and the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. It underscores the absolute certainty of divine prophecy and the sovereign control of God over human history. Jesus' willing submission to the path of suffering, even when it was incomprehensible to His closest followers, reveals His perfect obedience to the Father's will and His unique role as the suffering servant, whose death was not a defeat but the necessary means for the accomplishment of salvation. This verse firmly establishes the Old Testament as a prophetic blueprint for the Messiah's work, finding its ultimate and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching, perfect plan.

* [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Jesus Foretells His Suffering")
* [Acts 3:18](/acts/3-18 "God Fulfilled Prophecy through Christ's Suffering")
* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Fulfillment of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 18:31 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. First, it calls us to embrace the reality of God's sovereign plan, even when its unfolding involves suffering or seems contrary to our expectations. Just as Jesus walked steadfastly towards Jerusalem, knowing the pain that awaited Him, we are called to trust in God's perfect will, understanding that His purposes are always redemptive, even through hardship. This verse also strengthens our confidence in the absolute truth and unity of Scripture, affirming that the Old Testament prophecies are not mere historical texts but living words that find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It reminds us that our faith is grounded in a God who meticulously plans and perfectly executes His salvation history. Furthermore, it challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, seeking to understand God's ways even when they defy human logic, and to be prepared for the reality that following Christ may involve a path of self-denial and suffering, just as it did for Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge and willing submission to His suffering challenge my own understanding of God's plan in my life, especially during difficult times?**
* **In what ways do I, like the disciples, struggle to reconcile my expectations of God's work with the reality of His often counter-intuitive methods?**
* **How does the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus strengthen my faith in the reliability and authority of the entire Bible?**
* **What does "accomplished" mean for my own walk of faith, knowing that Jesus completed His mission perfectly?**

### FAQ
**Why did the disciples not understand Jesus' clear predictions of His suffering and death?**

Answer: The disciples struggled to understand Jesus' passion predictions primarily because their cultural and theological framework was deeply rooted in the expectation of a conquering, political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom. The concept of a suffering, dying Messiah was antithetical to their understanding of messianic glory and power. They likely interpreted Jesus' words through their preconceived notions, filtering out or spiritualizing the uncomfortable details of suffering and death. [Luke 18:34](/luke/18-34 "Disciples' Lack of Understanding") explicitly states, "And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken." This suggests a profound spiritual inability to grasp a truth that was so contrary to their deepest hopes and traditions, a truth that would only become clear in light of the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (cf. [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Jesus Opens Their Understanding")).

**What specific prophecies were "written by the prophets" concerning the Son of Man that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: Jesus is referring to a broad range of Old Testament prophecies that, when viewed through the lens of His life, death, and resurrection, clearly point to Him. While not exhaustive, these include prophecies about the Messiah's suffering (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "The Suffering Servant"), [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "A Psalm of Suffering")), His betrayal (e.g., [Psalm 41:9](/psalms/41-9 "Betrayal by a Close Friend")), His unjust trial and execution (e.g., [Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Messiah's Suffering and Humiliation")), His resurrection (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Messiah's Resurrection")), and His ultimate vindication and glory (e.g., [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "The Son of Man Coming with Clouds of Heaven")). The phrase "Son of Man" itself carries significant prophetic weight, particularly from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "The Son of Man Coming with Clouds of Heaven"), where a human-like figure is given everlasting dominion and glory, a passage Jesus frequently referenced in relation to His identity and future. The New Testament authors consistently demonstrate how Jesus' life and ministry fulfilled these diverse prophetic strands (e.g., [Acts 3:18](/acts/3-18 "God Fulfilled Prophecy through Christ's Suffering")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 18:31 stands as a pivotal declaration of Christ's perfect fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the Son of Man, is not merely a prophet who speaks of God's will, but the very embodiment of that will, marching willingly towards the cross to "accomplish" all that was "written by the prophets." This verse profoundly connects the Old Testament's messianic expectations with the New Testament's reality of Christ's atoning work. The suffering servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "The Suffering Servant"), the righteous one who dies for the unrighteous, finds His ultimate reality in Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. His death was not a tragic end but the divinely orchestrated climax of salvation history, the means by which sins are forgiven and reconciliation with God is achieved (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). The resurrection, though not explicitly mentioned here, is intrinsically linked to the "accomplishment" of these prophecies, demonstrating Jesus' victory over death and His vindication as the Son of God (cf. [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Thus, Luke 18:31 proclaims that every detail of Christ's passion was part of God's perfect design, culminating in the cross and empty tomb, through which He secured eternal salvation for all who believe, proving Himself to be the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Isaiah 53:1

¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Matthew 20:17

¶ And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

Psalms 22:31

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].

Mark 10:32

¶ And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,