Matthew 20:17

Matthew 20:17 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' earthly ministry, as He begins His final journey towards Jerusalem, the city destined for His crucifixion and resurrection. This verse sets the stage for a crucial private conversation with His inner circle, preparing them for the profound events that were soon to unfold.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), which spoke to themes of grace and divine justice. As Jesus and His disciples are "in the way" – on the road to Jerusalem – He takes His twelve disciples aside. This act of "taking them apart" signifies the solemn and confidential nature of the message He is about to deliver. Jerusalem was not merely a geographical destination but the prophetic center for the Messiah's suffering and triumph, a journey Jesus deliberately undertook, as noted in Luke 9:51, where He "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem." This was Jesus' third and most detailed prediction of His passion and resurrection, building on previous warnings in Matthew 16:21 and Matthew 17:22-23.

Key Themes

• Divine Purpose and Sovereignty: Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was not accidental but a deliberate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. He was fully aware of the suffering awaiting Him, yet He resolutely pressed forward.
• Preparation for Sacrifice: By taking the disciples aside, Jesus underscores the gravity of the events to come. He is preparing them, though they largely failed to grasp the spiritual reality until after His resurrection. The subsequent verses (Matthew 20:18-19) detail this prophecy of His betrayal, condemnation, crucifixion, and resurrection on the third day.
• Intimacy and Instruction: The act of taking them "apart" (Greek: kat' idian, "privately") highlights Jesus' desire for His closest followers to understand the true nature of His mission, especially His role as the suffering servant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "going up to Jerusalem" is significant. Geographically, Jerusalem is situated at a higher elevation, so one literally "goes up" to it. Spiritually, it also denotes a pilgrimage or an ascent towards a significant spiritual event. The phrase "took ... apart" from the Greek kat' idian (κατ' ἰδίαν) emphasizes the private and intimate nature of this discourse, setting it apart from His public teachings and indicating the importance of the message that follows.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of Jesus' unwavering commitment to His divine mission, even when it led to suffering and death. It teaches us the importance of:

• Facing Difficult Truths: Jesus didn't shy away from the hard reality of His path, nor did He allow His disciples to remain ignorant. Sometimes, God prepares us for challenging seasons, and we must be willing to hear and accept difficult truths.
• Intentional Discipleship: Jesus intentionally invested in His disciples, providing them with private, critical instruction. This highlights the value of deep, personal mentorship and spiritual guidance in our own faith journeys.
• Trusting God's Plan: Despite the disciples' initial confusion and fear, Jesus' journey to Jerusalem ultimately led to salvation and the triumph over death. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when the path seems difficult or unclear.