Matthew 17:23

KJV

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they shall kill {G615} him {G846}, and {G2532} the third {G5154} day {G2250} he shall be raised again {G1453}. And {G2532} they were exceeding {G4970} sorry {G3076}.

Complete Jewish Bible

who will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised." And they were filled with sadness.

Berean Standard Bible

They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.

American Standard Version

and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 17:23 captures Jesus' second explicit prophecy of His impending death and glorious resurrection, a pivotal declaration that underscores the divine necessity of His suffering and triumph. This profound revelation, however, is met with deep sorrow by His disciples, highlighting their struggle to reconcile their messianic expectations with the counter-intuitive path of a suffering and resurrected Savior.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This prophecy is delivered immediately after Jesus, Peter, James, and John descend from the Mount of Transfiguration, where the disciples had just witnessed a stunning display of Christ's divine glory, affirmed by the presence of Moses and Elijah and the voice of God the Father ([Matthew 17:1-8](/matthew/17-1-8 "The Transfiguration of Jesus")). The stark contrast between the radiant glory they had just beheld and the grim prediction of suffering and death would have been intensely jarring. This is the second of several "passion predictions" Jesus makes to His disciples, following the first in [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus' First Prediction of His Death and Resurrection"). Despite the increasing clarity of these warnings, the disciples consistently struggled to grasp the necessity of the Messiah's suffering, often revealing their earthly, triumphalist expectations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish messianic expectations largely revolved around a conquering king who would liberate Israel from Roman oppression and restore the Davidic kingdom. The concept of a suffering Messiah, particularly one who would be "killed" and "raised again," was profoundly counter-cultural and difficult to reconcile with prevailing interpretations of Old Testament prophecies. While passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "The Suffering Servant") spoke of a suffering servant, this understanding was not widely applied to the Messiah in popular Jewish thought. The disciples, steeped in these expectations, found Jesus' predictions of suffering and death deeply unsettling, as it challenged their entire framework of what the Messiah would be and do. Their sorrow reflects not just personal grief but also the shattering of their hopes for an immediate earthly kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament narrative. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereign Purpose**, demonstrating that Jesus' suffering and resurrection are not accidental events but are central to God's pre-ordained plan for salvation, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The explicit mention of being "killed" highlights the **Necessity of Christ's Suffering** as the path to atonement and redemption, a concept foundational to Christian theology, even if initially incomprehensible to the disciples. Crucially, the promise that "the third day he shall be raised again" introduces the theme of **Resurrection as God's Vindication and Victory over Death**, which is the cornerstone of Christian hope and the ultimate validation of Jesus' messianic claims. Finally, the disciples' reaction, "they were exceeding sorry," underscores the theme of **Disciples' Misunderstanding and Human Limitation**, revealing their struggle to comprehend spiritual truths that transcend their earthly perspectives and expectations, a recurring motif throughout Jesus' ministry (e.g., [Matthew 16:22-23](/matthew/16-22-23 "Peter Rebukes Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kill (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** This verb, derived from `apó` (from) and `kteínō` (to slay), signifies to "kill outright" or "destroy." In this context, it points directly to the violent, intentional act of putting Jesus to death, specifically foreshadowing His crucifixion. It emphasizes the definitive nature of His impending demise.
* **raised again (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This word carries the primary meaning "to waken" or "rouse." It can be used literally (from sleep, from sitting/lying, from disease) or figuratively (from obscurity, inactivity, nonexistence). Here, it is used in the context of being raised from death, emphasizing God's active power in bringing Jesus back to life. It signifies a divine act of restoration and triumph over the state of death.
* **exceeding (Greek, _sphódra'_):** As an adverb, this word means "vehemently," "in a high degree," or "much." When combined with "sorry" (G3076, _lypéō_), it intensifies the emotional state, indicating a profound, deep, or overwhelming sorrow rather than mere sadness. It paints a picture of intense distress and grief experienced by the disciples.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall kill him":** This clause reveals Jesus' clear foreknowledge of His impending death. The "they" refers to the human agents who would orchestrate His crucifixion, primarily the Jewish religious authorities and the Roman government. This is not a passive event but an active, violent act of execution, emphasizing the reality of His suffering and the human responsibility involved.
* **"and the third day he shall be raised again.":** This crucial phrase immediately follows the prediction of death, offering the divine counterpoint of resurrection. The specificity of "the third day" is significant, a detail consistently repeated in Jesus' passion predictions, which would later be a key element in the apostolic preaching of the resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "Christ was raised on the third day")). It underscores the supernatural nature of the event and God's sovereign power to reverse death.
* **"And they were exceeding sorry.":** This final clause describes the disciples' immediate and profound emotional response. The intensity of their sorrow, conveyed by "exceeding," indicates their deep distress, confusion, and perhaps fear. They likely understood the "kill him" part but struggled to comprehend, or perhaps even believe, the "raised again" part, as it contradicted their earthly expectations of a victorious Messiah and shattered their immediate hopes.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 17:23 employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus explicitly predicts His death and resurrection, events that are central to the Gospel narrative and Christian theology. This repeated prediction builds narrative tension and emphasizes the divine necessity of these events. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the glorious transfiguration the disciples just witnessed and the grim reality of suffering and death that Jesus now describes. This juxtaposition highlights the paradox of the Messiah's path. Furthermore, the disciples' reaction introduces **Dramatic Irony**. While Jesus speaks of His ultimate triumph through resurrection, the disciples are consumed by sorrow, unable to fully grasp the victory that awaits. Their limited understanding, despite divine revelation, creates a poignant sense of irony for the reader who knows the full story.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 17:23 stands as a profound theological declaration, revealing the essential paradox of Christian faith: that ultimate victory comes through suffering and death, culminating in resurrection. It highlights God's meticulous sovereign plan, where even the darkest moments of human sin are woven into His redemptive purpose. The disciples' sorrow, while understandable from a human perspective, underscores the radical nature of God's wisdom, which often confounds human expectations. This verse is a foundational stone for understanding the atonement, the defeat of death, and the hope of eternal life, all centered on Christ's finished work.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "The Suffering Servant's Atoning Work")
* [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 "The Gospel Message: Christ Died and Rose Again")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 17:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as Jesus knew His path of suffering and triumph, we are called to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when our circumstances involve pain, confusion, or the shattering of our own expectations. The disciples' sorrow reminds us that faith is not the absence of grief, but the ability to hold onto God's promises even when current realities are deeply distressing. This verse challenges us to embrace the full scope of the Gospel: not just the glory of Christ, but also the necessity of His cross, and crucially, the transformative power of His empty tomb. Our hope is anchored not in a triumphant earthly kingdom (as the disciples initially hoped), but in the spiritual victory achieved through Christ's death and resurrection, which offers us new life and eternal hope. We are called to look beyond immediate sorrow to the ultimate triumph that God has promised.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my own expectations of God's plan sometimes clash with the reality of suffering or unexpected turns in life?**
* **In what areas of my faith do I struggle to fully grasp or accept truths that seem counter-intuitive or difficult?**
* **How does the promise of Christ's resurrection transform my perspective on present difficulties or losses?**
* **What does it mean for me to "fix my eyes" not just on the cross, but on the empty tomb, as a source of living hope?**

### FAQ

**Why were the disciples sorrowful if Jesus also predicted His resurrection?**

Answer: The disciples' sorrow stemmed primarily from their inability to fully grasp or accept the resurrection aspect of Jesus' prophecy. Their messianic expectations were deeply rooted in the idea of a conquering king who would establish an earthly kingdom and liberate Israel from Roman rule. The idea of the Messiah being "killed" was completely contrary to this vision and likely shattered their hopes for an immediate, visible triumph. While Jesus mentioned resurrection, it was likely overshadowed by the shocking and painful prospect of His death. They couldn't reconcile the suffering servant with the glorious Messiah they expected. Their sorrow was a natural human response to the impending loss of their beloved teacher and the apparent collapse of their understanding of God's plan, demonstrating the profound difficulty of accepting a truth that defied their deepest cultural and personal hopes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 17:23 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the actual events of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, which are the very heart of the Gospel. Jesus' prophecy here is not merely a prediction but a declaration of the divine necessity of His atoning work. His death, as foreshadowed, was the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of the suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "The Suffering Servant's Atoning Sacrifice")). Yet, the cross was not the end; the promise of being "raised again the third day" points directly to the resurrection, which is God's powerful vindication of Christ and the cornerstone of Christian faith ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the grave, offering new life and eternal hope to all who believe ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "Living Hope Through Resurrection")). This verse, therefore, encapsulates the entire redemptive arc: the Lamb of God slain for our sins, and the triumphant Lord resurrected for our justification, making Him the central figure of salvation history ([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 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

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 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.

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.

Zechariah 13:7

¶ Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man [that is] my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

John 16:6

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.