King James Version

What Does Matthew 17:22 Mean?

Matthew 17:22 in the King James Version says “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: — study this verse from Matthew chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

Matthew 17:22 · KJV


Context

20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

22

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

23

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

24

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? tribute: called in the original, didrachma, being in value fifteen pence sterling; about thirty seven cents


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them (Συστρεφομένων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς)—The genitive absolute συστρεφομένων ('while gathering together, while assembling') indicates the disciples regathering after their missionary journey or after the Transfiguration. Galilee was Jesus's primary ministry base, yet He repeatedly predicted His departure. The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men (Μέλλει ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοσθαι εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων)—the future μέλλει ('is about to') shows imminence. The verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, 'to hand over, to betray, to deliver up') is used of Judas's betrayal but also the Father's sovereign purpose (Romans 8:32).

The wordplay υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου...εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων ('Son of Man into hands of men') emphasizes the incarnation's tragedy: the perfect Man betrayed by sinful mankind. Yet this 'betrayal' fulfills divine plan—God's sovereignty and human wickedness converge at the cross (Acts 2:23). This is Jesus's second explicit passion prediction (first: 16:21), showing He repeatedly prepared disciples for what they couldn't comprehend.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred after the Transfiguration (17:1-13) and healing of the demon-possessed boy (17:14-21), probably autumn AD 29. Jesus's ministry was now clearly moving toward Jerusalem and crucifixion. The verb παραδίδωμι carries overtones of legal handing over, anticipating the trials before Sanhedrin and Pilate. Despite Jesus's clarity, the disciples consistently failed to grasp the necessity of His death (see v. 23), illustrating how human expectations blind us to God's purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the disciples repeatedly fail to understand Jesus's clear predictions of His death?
  2. How does Jesus's voluntary submission to betrayal demonstrate both divine sovereignty and human free will?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἀναστρεφομένων1 of 19

abode

G390

to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself, i.e., remain, live

δὲ2 of 19

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοῖς3 of 19

unto them

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

ἐν4 of 19

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ5 of 19
G3588

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

Γαλιλαίᾳ6 of 19

Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

εἶπεν7 of 19

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς8 of 19

unto them

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

9 of 19
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς10 of 19

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Μέλλει11 of 19

shall be

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

12 of 19
G3588

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

υἱὸς13 of 19

The Son

G5207

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

τοῦ14 of 19
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπων15 of 19

of man

G444

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

παραδίδοσθαι16 of 19

betrayed

G3860

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

εἰς17 of 19

into

G1519

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

χεῖρας18 of 19

the hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἀνθρώπων19 of 19

of man

G444

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 17:22 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 Matthew 17:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study