Matthew 20:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} shall deliver {G3860} him {G846} to the Gentiles {G1484} to {G1519} mock {G1702}, and {G2532} to scourge {G3146}, and {G2532} to crucify {G4717} him: and {G2532} the third {G5154} day {G2250} he shall rise again {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and turn him over to the Goyim, who will jeer at him, beat him and execute him on a stake as a criminal. But on the third day, he will be raised."

Berean Standard Bible

and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”

American Standard Version

and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify: and the third day he shall be raised up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 20:19 presents the third and most explicit of Jesus' predictions concerning his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. Spoken to his disciples on their journey to Jerusalem, this verse details the specific sequence of events: his betrayal, delivery to Gentile authorities, the acts of mocking, scourging, and crucifixion, culminating in his glorious resurrection on the third day. This prophecy underscores Jesus' divine foreknowledge, the sovereign plan of God, and the central role of his atoning sacrifice and triumphant victory over death in the unfolding narrative of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant section of Matthew's Gospel that highlights Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and his teachings on discipleship and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Immediately preceding this prophecy, Jesus has just taught about humility and service, contrasting worldly ambition with true greatness in God's kingdom, prompted by the request of James and John's mother for positions of honor for her sons [Matthew 20:20-28](/matthew/20-20-28 "Matthew 20:20-28 - The Request of James and John's Mother"). This prediction of suffering, therefore, serves as a stark counterpoint to the disciples' ongoing misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, emphasizing that true glory in the Kingdom comes through sacrificial service, not earthly power. It builds upon earlier, less detailed predictions of his passion found in [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection") and [Matthew 17:22-23](/matthew/17-22-23 "Matthew 17:22-23 - The Second Prediction of the Passion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' reference to being delivered "to the Gentiles" is crucial. At this time, Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish Sanhedrin, while having religious authority, lacked the power to carry out capital punishment. Only the Roman authorities, represented by Pontius Pilate, could legally execute someone by crucifixion. This detail in Jesus' prophecy accurately anticipates the historical events of his trial and execution, where Jewish leaders would hand him over to the Roman governor. Scourging was a brutal Roman flogging, often a preliminary step to crucifixion, designed to weaken the victim and hasten death. Crucifixion itself was the most agonizing and publicly humiliating form of execution devised by the Romans, reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest criminals, intended to serve as a deterrent. The "third day" resurrection also aligns with Jewish understanding of time, where "after three days" or "on the third day" could refer to a period encompassing parts of three distinct days.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 20:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**. Jesus speaks with absolute certainty about events that are yet to unfold, demonstrating his divine insight and the predetermined nature of God's redemptive plan. His death was not an unforeseen tragedy but a necessary, divinely orchestrated event. Secondly, it highlights the **Suffering of the Messiah**. Despite the disciples' expectations of a conquering king, Jesus consistently reveals that his path to glory involves profound suffering and sacrifice. This prophecy explicitly details the brutality he would endure, emphasizing his role as the suffering servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). Finally, the verse culminates in the triumphant declaration of the **Resurrection**. This is the ultimate victory over sin and death, serving as the cornerstone of Christian faith and the validation of Jesus' messianic claims, a theme that permeates the Gospels and the entire New Testament, as seen in passages like [Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gentiles (Greek, _éthnos'_):** This term refers to "a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)." In this context, it specifically denotes the Roman authorities who would carry out the execution of Jesus, highlighting the universal scope of his sacrifice beyond the Jewish people.
* **mock (Greek, _empaízō'_):** Derived from "en" (in) and "paizō" (to play), this word means "to jeer at, i.e. deride." It encapsulates the public humiliation and scorn Jesus would endure, not just physical pain but psychological torment and disrespect from his captors and accusers.
* **rise again (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** Composed of "ana" (up) and "histēmi" (to stand), this verb means "to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)." In the context of death, it signifies being "raised up" or "resurrected," emphasizing the active, powerful intervention of God in bringing Jesus back to life, rather than a passive revival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And shall deliver him to the Gentiles":** This clause signifies the betrayal and handing over of Jesus by Jewish authorities to the Roman imperial power. It underscores the legal and political dimensions of his passion, as the Jewish leaders lacked the authority for capital punishment and thus needed to involve the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
* **"to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]:"** This tripartite phrase meticulously details the horrific suffering Jesus would endure. "Mock" points to the psychological and emotional abuse, including ridicule and scorn. "Scourge" refers to the brutal Roman flogging, a severe physical torment often preceding crucifixion. "Crucify" names the ultimate act of execution, the most agonizing and humiliating form of death in the Roman world, signifying the complete and public sacrifice of Jesus.
* **"and the third day he shall rise again."**: This concluding clause shifts from the depths of suffering to the triumph of divine power. It is the glorious culmination of the prophecy, declaring Jesus' victory over death and the grave. The "third day" is a consistent detail in all resurrection accounts, emphasizing the specific timing of this pivotal event in salvation history.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 20:19 employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is paramount, as Jesus explicitly predicts his future suffering and resurrection, building suspense and demonstrating his divine knowledge. The detailed list of abuses—"mock, scourge, and crucify"—serves as a form of **climax**, escalating the intensity of the predicted suffering, culminating in the most brutal act. This sequence also functions as **parallelism**, creating a rhythmic and memorable structure that emphasizes the progression of his passion. The stark contrast between the violence and humiliation of the first part of the verse and the triumph of "he shall rise again" creates a powerful **juxtaposition**, highlighting the dramatic shift from death to life, from human cruelty to divine power. This contrast underscores the core message of the gospel: suffering and death are overcome by resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 20:19 is a cornerstone for understanding the core of Christian theology. It reveals the necessary suffering of the Messiah as part of God's redemptive plan, emphasizing that Jesus' death was not an accident but a purposeful sacrifice. His foreknowledge and willing submission demonstrate his perfect obedience to the Father's will and his profound love for humanity, taking on the full weight of sin and its consequences. The resurrection, explicitly mentioned, is the divine validation of his sacrifice, proving his victory over sin and death and establishing him as the living Lord. This passage thus encapsulates the Gospel message: Christ died for our sins and rose again according to the Scriptures, offering new life and hope to all who believe.

* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")
* [Luke 24:46-47](/luke/24-46-47 "Luke 24:46-47 - The Necessity of Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 20:19 invites believers to a deeper contemplation of the immense cost of our salvation and the unwavering commitment of Jesus to fulfill God's redemptive plan. His willingness to endure unimaginable suffering—mocking, scourging, and crucifixion—for the sake of humanity reveals a love that transcends all understanding. For us, this verse offers profound comfort and a call to faithful living. It assures us that God's promises are certain, as evidenced by the precise fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. It provides hope in our own trials, reminding us that suffering is not the end, but can be a path toward ultimate victory, just as Christ's suffering led to his glorious resurrection. Ultimately, this passage calls us to embrace the full scope of the Gospel, acknowledging both the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the power of his resurrection as the foundation of our faith and the source of our eternal hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' detailed foreknowledge of his suffering and resurrection impact your understanding of God's sovereignty and control over history?**
* **What does the specific mention of "mocking," "scourging," and "crucifixion" reveal about the nature of Jesus' sacrifice, and how does this deepen your appreciation for his love?**
* **In what ways does the promise of "the third day he shall rise again" provide hope and strength in your own personal struggles or moments of despair?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus need to be delivered to the Gentiles for crucifixion?**

Answer: Jesus' prophecy that he would be delivered "to the Gentiles" was a precise foretelling of the historical reality of Roman occupation in Judea. While the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Sanhedrin, condemned Jesus for blasphemy, they did not have the legal authority to execute him under Roman law. Capital punishment was reserved for the Roman governor. Therefore, to carry out the sentence of death, particularly by crucifixion (a Roman method of execution), the Jewish leaders had to hand Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect, as recorded in [Matthew 27:1-2](/matthew/27-1-2 "Matthew 27:1-2 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate") and [John 18:31](/john/18-31 "John 18:31 - Pilate's Authority"). This act fulfilled prophecy and underscored the universal nature of his atoning sacrifice, involving both Jewish and Gentile authorities in his death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 20:19 stands as a pivotal Christ-centered prophecy, directly foretelling the core events of the Gospel: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah. This passage is not merely a historical prediction but a profound theological statement about the very essence of Christ's mission and identity. His willing submission to mocking, scourging, and crucifixion, as detailed here, directly fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Suffering Servant, particularly those found in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), where the Messiah is depicted as bearing the iniquities of many. The ultimate triumph of his resurrection "on the third day" is the divine vindication of his sacrifice, confirming his victory over sin and death and establishing him as the living Lord. This resurrection is the cornerstone of the New Testament message, validating his claims and providing the foundation for Christian hope and the promise of eternal life for all who believe, as powerfully articulated by Paul in [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection as the Firstfruits"). Thus, Matthew 20:19 encapsulates the very heart of the Gospel, presenting Jesus as the one who perfectly fulfilled God's redemptive plan through his atoning death and glorious resurrection, offering salvation to all humanity.

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

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 15:16

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.

Mark 15:20

And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

Psalms 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1 Corinthians 15:7

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Hosea 6:2

After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.