Mark 8:31

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he began {G756} to teach {G1321} them {G846}, that {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} of the chief priests {G749}, and {G2532} scribes {G1122}, and {G2532} be killed {G615}, and {G2532} after {G3326} three {G5140} days {G2250} rise again {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He began teaching them that the Son of Man had to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that after three days, he had to rise again.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 8:31 marks a profound turning point in the Gospel narrative, representing Jesus' first explicit and detailed prediction of His impending suffering, rejection by religious authorities, death, and triumphant resurrection. This pivotal revelation immediately follows Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ at Caesarea Philippi, fundamentally reorienting the disciples' understanding of the Messiah's mission from one of political conquest to one of redemptive suffering and ultimate victory over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed immediately after [Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ](/mark/8-29 "Mark 8:29 - Peter's Confession") at Caesarea Philippi. Up to this point, Jesus' identity had been revealed primarily through His authoritative teaching, miraculous healings, and the testimony of demons. The disciples, particularly Peter, had just acknowledged Him as the Messiah. However, their understanding of what kind of Messiah He would be was largely shaped by popular Jewish expectations of a conquering king. Jesus' subsequent teaching in [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Suffering") directly challenges and corrects this misconception, introducing the shocking and counter-intuitive concept of a suffering and dying Messiah. This revelation sets the stage for [Peter's rebuke of Jesus](/mark/8-32 "Mark 8:32 - Peter Rebukes Jesus") and Jesus' subsequent teaching on the true cost of discipleship, emphasizing the necessity of self-denial and cross-bearing for those who would follow Him, as seen in [Mark 8:34-38](/mark/8-34-38 "Mark 8:34-38 - The Cost of Discipleship").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish messianic expectations were predominantly nationalistic and political. The people longed for a Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman occupation, restore the Davidic kingdom, and usher in an era of peace and prosperity, fulfilling prophecies like those found in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace"). The idea of a suffering and rejected Messiah, particularly one who would be killed by the very religious leaders of Israel, was anathema to this popular understanding. The "elders, chief priests, and scribes" represented the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and judicial body, wielding significant authority under Roman rule. Their rejection of Jesus, as foretold here, underscores the profound conflict between Jesus' divine mission and the established religious order, which ultimately led to His crucifixion.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 8:31 introduces several foundational themes that permeate the rest of Mark's Gospel. The most prominent is the **Divine Necessity of Suffering**. The Greek word *dei* ("must" or "it is necessary") underscores that Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection were not accidental or a deviation, but a preordained and indispensable part of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the [Suffering Servant](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Another crucial theme is the **Redefinition of Messiahship**. Jesus dismantles the popular, triumphalist view of the Messiah, replacing it with the image of a Servant-King who achieves victory through sacrifice. Finally, the verse highlights the **Centrality of the Resurrection**. Despite the shocking prediction of death, Jesus' declaration that He would "rise again after three days" provides the ultimate hope and validates His claims, transforming the tragedy of the cross into the triumph of new life and the foundation of Christian faith, as profoundly articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **must (Greek, _deî'_):** This impersonal verb signifies a divine imperative, indicating absolute necessity or obligation. It points to God's sovereign will and predetermined plan. Jesus' suffering was not a tragic accident but an essential, divinely appointed component of salvation history.
* **suffer (Greek, _páschō'_):** This verb denotes experiencing a sensation or impression, typically a painful one. It encompasses physical pain, emotional anguish, and mental distress. In this context, it refers to the full extent of the agony Jesus would endure, leading to His death.
* **rejected (Greek, _apodokimázō'_):** This compound verb means to disapprove after testing, to reject as unfit or worthless. It carries the strong connotation of official repudiation, highlighting the deliberate decision of the religious authorities to disallow Jesus' claims and authority.
* **rise again (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb means to stand up, to raise up, or to rise again. In the context of death, it specifically refers to resurrection. Its inclusion here is crucial, as it transforms the suffering and death into a pathway to ultimate victory and vindication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he began to teach them":** This phrase signals a new phase in Jesus' ministry to His disciples. Up to this point, His teaching had often been veiled in parables or focused on the Kingdom's arrival. Now, having established His identity through Peter's confession, Jesus begins to explicitly unveil the difficult truth of His redemptive mission, indicating a direct and intentional instruction on a previously hidden aspect of His purpose.
* **"that the Son of man must suffer many things":** Jesus' self-designation "Son of Man" connects Him to both humanity (His identification with mankind) and divine authority (from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds")). The word "must" (*deî*) emphasizes the divine necessity of His suffering, which was not a contingency but a preordained part of God's plan for salvation. "Many things" indicates the breadth and depth of the pain and trials He would endure.
* **"and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes":** This specifies the agents of His rejection and suffering. These were the leading religious and political figures of Israel, representing the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. Jesus explicitly foretells that the very institutions meant to guide God's people would be the ones to repudiate Him. This highlights the profound irony and tragedy of His rejection by those who should have recognized Him.
* **"and be killed":** This is the stark and unambiguous prediction of His death. It leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding the ultimate outcome of His rejection by the religious authorities. This statement would have been shocking and deeply unsettling to the disciples, who envisioned a triumphant Messiah.
* **"and after three days rise again":** This final clause provides the crucial counterpoint and ultimate hope. Despite the certainty of suffering, rejection, and death, Jesus prophesies His resurrection on the third day. This transforms the preceding tragedy into a divinely ordained triumph, validating His claims and establishing the foundation of Christian hope and the victory over sin and death.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 8:31 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Foreshadowing** is central, as Jesus explicitly predicts events that will unfold later in the narrative, building dramatic tension and preparing the audience for the Passion. The precise details of His suffering, rejection by specific groups, death, and resurrection serve as powerful anticipations. There is also profound **Irony** in Jesus' prediction that the very religious leaders—the "elders, chief priests, and scribes"—who were supposed to recognize and welcome God's Anointed One, would be the ones to reject and kill Him. This highlights the spiritual blindness of those in authority. Finally, the verse functions as a direct **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events. Jesus' ability to accurately foretell His own fate, including the precise timeframe of His resurrection, serves to underscore His divine nature and the sovereign control of God over human history, even amidst apparent defeat.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 8:31 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the heart of God's redemptive plan. It unveils the paradox of a suffering Messiah, a concept deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy, particularly the Suffering Servant passages in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Jesus' declaration that He "must suffer" underscores the divine necessity of His sacrifice, not as a tragic accident, but as the predetermined means by which humanity's sin would be atoned for and God's justice and love perfectly reconciled. This suffering culminates in death, but the promise of resurrection transforms the cross from a symbol of defeat into the ultimate sign of victory over sin and death, establishing the hope of new life for all who believe.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")
* [Luke 24:46-47](/luke/24-46-47 "Luke 24:46-47 - The Necessity of Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel's Core Message")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 8:31 challenges our preconceived notions of power, success, and divine intervention, much as it did for the disciples. It calls us to embrace a counter-cultural understanding of God's ways, recognizing that true victory often emerges from apparent defeat, and ultimate glory is achieved through sacrificial love. For believers, this verse is a profound invitation to align our expectations with God's revealed truth, even when that truth involves suffering or a path we would not naturally choose. It reminds us that following Christ means embracing the call to self-denial and cross-bearing, understanding that our own journey of faith may involve rejection or hardship, but always with the unwavering promise of resurrection hope. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it seems illogical or painful, knowing that His ultimate purpose is always redemptive and leads to life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my own expectations of God's work or my own life align with or diverge from the "suffering" aspect of God's plan, as revealed in Mark 8:31?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "rebuke" God's plan when it involves hardship or goes against my desires, similar to Peter's reaction?**
* **How does the promise of resurrection transform my perspective on present difficulties or potential rejection for my faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was it "necessary" for Jesus to suffer and die?**

Answer: The Greek word *deî* (must) highlights a divine imperative. Jesus' suffering and death were necessary because they were the divinely appointed means for God to accomplish salvation for humanity. According to biblical theology, humanity's sin created a chasm between God and mankind, and a perfect, atoning sacrifice was required to satisfy God's justice and reconcile humanity to Him. Jesus, as the sinless Son of God, was the only one capable of offering such a sacrifice. His suffering and death fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")) and provided the ultimate payment for sin, making forgiveness and eternal life possible for all who believe, as explained in [Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23-26 "Romans 3:23-26 - Righteousness Through Faith").

**What is the significance of Jesus referring to Himself as "Son of Man" in this context?**

Answer: The title "Son of Man" is Jesus' most frequent self-designation in the Gospels. It carries a dual significance. On one hand, it emphasizes His genuine humanity, His identification with mankind, and His role as a servant. On the other hand, it is a messianic title drawn from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Coming with Clouds"), where the "Son of Man" is a divine, heavenly figure who receives everlasting dominion and glory. By using this title here, Jesus connects His impending suffering and death (His human experience) with His ultimate divine authority, heavenly origin, and future role as judge and glorious King. It signifies that His suffering is not a sign of weakness, but a necessary step towards His ultimate vindication and glorification.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 8:31 stands as a foundational Christ-centered prophecy, succinctly outlining the core of the Gospel message and the very purpose of Jesus' incarnation. In this verse, Jesus unveils the divine necessity of His suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection, revealing that His path was not a tragic accident but the preordained means for God to accomplish salvation. The "Son of Man" who "must suffer many things" is the very Christ who, as [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus Perfected Through Suffering") declares, was "made perfect through suffering" to bring many sons to glory. His rejection by the elders, chief priests, and scribes foreshadows the world's rejection of God's perfect Lamb, yet this rejection was ultimately part of God's plan to reconcile the world to Himself (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World")). The culmination of His suffering in death on the cross, as foretold here, became the ultimate act of atonement, where He bore the sins of humanity (cf. [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Crucially, the prophecy of rising "after three days" transforms the apparent defeat of the cross into the glorious triumph of the resurrection, validating His claims, conquering sin and death, and inaugurating the new creation. This resurrection is the bedrock of Christian faith, proving Jesus' identity as the Son of God with power (cf. [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God with Power")) and securing eternal life for all who believe in Him (cf. [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Thus, Mark 8:31 is not merely a prediction but a concise summary of the very *Christus Victor* narrative, where through suffering and death, Christ achieved ultimate victory and established His eternal kingdom.

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

Mark 10:33

[Saying], Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

Mark 10:34

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

John 2:19

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Luke 24:26

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

Acts 7:35

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Mark 9:31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Mark 9:32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.