King James Version

What Does Mark 10:33 Mean?

Mark 10:33 in the King James Version says “Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribe... — study this verse from Mark chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 10:33 · KJV


Context

31

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

32

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

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:

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.

35

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus predicted: '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' (Ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδοθήσεται τοῖς ἀρχιερεῦσιν καὶ τοῖς γραμματεῦσιν, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν). This third passion prediction is most detailed, specifying: (1) delivery to Jewish leaders, (2) condemnation, (3) delivery to Gentiles (Romans), (4) mocking, scourging, crucifixion (v. 34), (5) resurrection. The precision demonstrates foreknowledge. Jesus wasn't surprised by betrayal or overwhelmed by events—He knew exactly what awaited and chose it willingly. The passive voice 'shall be delivered' (paradothēsetai, παραδοθήσεται) indicates divine sovereignty—God ordained these events for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prediction outlined precisely what occurred: Judas betrayed Jesus to chief priests (Mark 14:43), Sanhedrin condemned Him (Mark 14:64), delivered Him to Pilate (Mark 15:1), who ordered scourging and crucifixion (Mark 15:15). Roman practice included mocking, scourging, and crucifixion for sedition. Jewish authorities couldn't execute (John 18:31), requiring Roman cooperation. Jesus' prediction that both Jews and Gentiles would participate in His death reveals universal human guilt—all are complicit (Acts 4:27). Yet divine sovereignty ordered these events for atonement. Peter preached, 'Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain' (Acts 2:23). Human evil served divine purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' detailed prediction demonstrate that His death was divinely ordained plan, not tragic accident?
  2. What does both Jewish and Gentile participation in Jesus' death reveal about universal human guilt and need for atonement?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ὅτι1 of 25

Saying

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἰδού,2 of 25

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἀναβαίνομεν3 of 25

we go up

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

εἰς4 of 25

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

Ἱεροσόλυμα5 of 25

Jerusalem

G2414

hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine

καὶ6 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

7 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς8 of 25

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ9 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου10 of 25

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

παραδώσουσιν11 of 25

shall be delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

τοῖς12 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῦσιν13 of 25

unto the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ14 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς15 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γραμματεῦσιν16 of 25

unto the scribes

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ17 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατακρινοῦσιν18 of 25

they shall condemn

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

αὐτὸν19 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

θανάτῳ20 of 25

to death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

καὶ21 of 25

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραδώσουσιν22 of 25

shall be delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

αὐτὸν23 of 25

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τοῖς24 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔθνεσιν25 of 25

to the Gentiles

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 10:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 10:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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