Luke 9:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G2036},{G3754} The Son {G5207} of man {G444} must {G1163} suffer {G3958} many things {G4183}, and {G2532} be rejected {G593} of {G575} the elders {G4245} and {G2532} chief priests {G749} and {G2532} scribes {G1122}, and {G2532} be slain {G615}, and {G2532} be raised {G1453} the third {G5154} day {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

adding, “The Son of Man has to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and he has to be put to death; but on the third day, he has to be raised to life.”

Berean Standard Bible

“The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:22 presents Jesus' profound and pivotal first explicit prophecy to His disciples concerning the essential nature of His messianic mission: a path of suffering, rejection, death, and ultimate resurrection. This declaration serves as a foundational revelation, correcting popular misconceptions about a conquering Messiah and unveiling the divine necessity of His atoning sacrifice for humanity's redemption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a watershed moment in Jesus' ministry: [Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ](/luke/9-20 "Luke 9:20 - Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ"). Having just identified Jesus as the Messiah, the disciples, and particularly Peter, were likely envisioning a triumphant, earthly king who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's glory. Jesus' subsequent prophecy in [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering and Resurrection") serves as a stark reorientation, clarifying that His path to glory would not be through worldly power but through suffering and death. This statement sets the stage for the subsequent call to discipleship, where Jesus invites His followers to embrace a similar path of self-denial and cross-bearing, as seen in [Luke 9:23-27](/luke/9-23-27 "Luke 9:23-27 - The Cost of Discipleship"). It marks a critical turning point from the revelation of His identity to the explanation of His mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish expectations of the Messiah were largely shaped by prophecies of a Davidic king who would establish an earthly kingdom, liberate Israel from foreign oppression, and usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Prince of Peace") and [Micah 5:2](/micah/5-2 "Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem and the Ruler of Israel") fueled these hopes. The idea of a suffering Messiah, though present in texts like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), was largely overlooked or reinterpreted by the religious leaders and the general populace. Jesus' prophecy directly confronts these deeply ingrained expectations, revealing a messianic program that defied conventional wisdom and challenged the prevailing understanding of power and redemption. His rejection by the "elders and chief priests and scribes" was particularly poignant, as these were the very authorities charged with interpreting God's law and guiding the people, yet they failed to recognize their Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering and Resurrection") contributes significantly to several major themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of the **Suffering Son of Man**, a title Jesus frequently uses to emphasize both His humanity and His divine authority, drawing from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"). This verse underscores the **Divine Necessity of the Passion**, indicating that His suffering and death were not accidental but a predetermined part of God's redemptive plan, a concept further elaborated in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan"). The theme of **Rejection by Religious Authority** is also prominent, highlighting the tragic irony that those who should have welcomed the Messiah became His primary antagonists. Finally, the prophecy of the **Resurrection** is central, transforming the impending death from a tragedy into a triumph and establishing the cornerstone of Christian hope and the validation of Jesus' claims, as powerfully articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** From G1163, this word conveys a sense of divine necessity, obligation, or a predetermined plan. It indicates that the events prophesied were not random occurrences but were part of God's sovereign will and an essential component of His redemptive purpose. This "must" signifies a divine imperative, underscoring that the suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection were indispensable for the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation.
* **suffer (Greek, _páschō'_):** From G3958, this verb means "to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)." In this context, it specifically refers to the intense physical and emotional agony Jesus would endure, encompassing the betrayal, trials, scourging, and crucifixion. It highlights the real, human experience of pain and affliction that was integral to His atoning work.
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** From G1453, this word means "to waken, i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." Here, it directly refers to Jesus' bodily resurrection from the dead, signifying His triumph over death and the grave. This term emphasizes the active power of God in bringing Him back to life, validating His identity and securing the hope of eternal life for believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things,"**: Jesus, using His preferred self-designation, "the Son of Man," a title rich with both human and divine implications, declares that His path involves extensive suffering. The word "must" (Greek: _deî_) emphasizes the divine necessity and preordained nature of these sufferings, indicating they are not accidental but essential to God's plan. "Many things" suggests a comprehensive array of trials, afflictions, and pains.
* **"and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes,"**: This clause specifies the source of His rejection: the religious and legal authorities of Israel. The "elders" were respected community leaders, the "chief priests" were the heads of the priestly families and the Sanhedrin, and the "scribes" were the experts in Jewish law. Their collective rejection highlights the profound irony and tragedy of the Messiah being disowned by those who should have recognized and welcomed Him, underscoring the spiritual blindness of the religious establishment.
* **"and be slain,"**: This is a direct and unambiguous prophecy of His death. The term "slain" (Greek: _apokteínō_) implies a violent, deliberate killing, clearly pointing to His crucifixion. This statement shatters any lingering illusions among the disciples about an earthly, conquering Messiah who would avoid such a fate.
* **"and be raised the third day."**: This final clause is the climactic and most crucial part of the prophecy. It promises not merely death, but ultimate victory. The phrase "raised the third day" specifically foretells His resurrection from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion. This detail is pivotal, as the resurrection validates His claims, confirms His divine power, and forms the bedrock of Christian faith and hope, transforming the tragedy of His death into the triumph of redemption.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:22 is rich with several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as Jesus explicitly foretells future events concerning His passion and resurrection. This is not a vague prediction but a detailed outline of His impending fate, including the agents of His rejection and the timing of His resurrection. Closely related is **Foreshadowing**, where this verse prepares the reader and the disciples for the dramatic events of Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection that will unfold later in the Gospel. There is also profound **Irony** present: the Son of Man, the divine Messiah, is to be rejected by the very religious leaders who claim to serve God. This highlights the spiritual blindness and misplaced expectations of those in authority. Furthermore, the verse contains a **Paradox**: the path to ultimate glory and salvation is not through earthly power and triumph, but through suffering, death, and resurrection. This counter-intuitive truth challenges conventional notions of strength and victory, revealing God's upside-down kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:22 stands as a theological cornerstone, revealing the essential nature of Christ's messianic mission as one rooted in suffering and sacrifice, culminating in resurrection. It underscores the divine necessity of the atonement, demonstrating that Jesus' death was not a tragic accident but a preordained act of God's sovereign will to redeem humanity. This prophecy also highlights the profound contrast between human expectations of a conquering Messiah and God's plan for a suffering Servant, thereby redefining the very nature of messianic victory. It establishes the resurrection as the indispensable validation of Jesus' claims and the source of hope for all who believe, transforming the scandal of the cross into the power of salvation.

* [Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant Prophecy")
* [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection")
* [Acts 17:3](/acts/17-3 "Acts 17:3 - Paul Explains Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:22 offers a profound lens through which believers can understand the nature of God's redemptive plan and the call to discipleship. It reminds us that the path of Christ was one of self-sacrifice and suffering, not earthly triumph, and that our salvation came at an immense cost. This truth should cultivate deep gratitude for God's love and Christ's obedience, inspiring us to live lives worthy of such a sacrifice. Furthermore, Jesus' willingness to embrace suffering and rejection, knowing it was part of God's divine will, provides a powerful model for navigating our own trials. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign purposes, even when our circumstances are difficult or counter-intuitive. Just as Jesus' suffering led to resurrection, our own experiences of hardship, when embraced in faith, can lead to deeper spiritual growth and a greater manifestation of God's power in our lives, ultimately pointing to the hope of eternal victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' prophecy of His suffering and resurrection challenge my own expectations of what it means to follow Him?**
* **In what areas of my life am I called to embrace a "must suffer" mentality, trusting in God's sovereign plan even when it involves hardship or rejection?**
* **How does the certainty of Jesus' resurrection empower me to face challenges and uncertainties in my own life?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus refer to Himself as "the Son of Man" so often, especially when speaking of His suffering?**

Answer: Jesus' frequent use of "the Son of Man" (Greek: _ho huios tou anthrōpou_) is highly significant. This title, drawn from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"), carries a dual meaning. On one hand, it emphasizes His true humanity, His identification with mankind, and His humble earthly existence. On the other hand, in Daniel's prophecy, "the Son of Man" is a divine, celestial figure who receives everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom from God. By combining these aspects, Jesus subtly yet powerfully asserted His unique identity as both fully human and divinely appointed, the one who would suffer and die as a man, yet who possessed ultimate authority and would be vindicated by God. Using this title for His suffering and resurrection prophecies allowed Him to connect His earthly mission directly to His eschatological role as judge and king, fulfilling both the suffering servant prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) and the glorious kingdom prophecies.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:22 is a profound Christ-centered prophecy, directly revealing the heart of the Gospel: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. This verse is not merely a prediction but a declaration of the divine blueprint for salvation, demonstrating that Christ's passion was not an unforeseen tragedy but the predetermined will of God, as affirmed by Peter in [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan"). The "Son of Man" who "must suffer many things" and "be slain" is the very Lamb of God whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the world, echoing the words of [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His rejection by the religious authorities foreshadows how humanity, in its sin, rejected its Creator, yet through this very rejection, God orchestrated the means of reconciliation. Crucially, the promise to "be raised the third day" is the ultimate fulfillment, transforming the cross from a symbol of defeat into the triumph over sin and death, the very foundation of our faith and hope as declared in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection"). Thus, Luke 9:22 encapsulates the entire redemptive narrative, pointing to Christ as the one whose suffering secured our salvation and whose resurrection guarantees our eternal life, making Him the central figure of God's plan.

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.

Luke 24:7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Luke 18:31

¶ 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.

Luke 18:34

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Luke 9:44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Acts 4:25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?