King James Version

What Does Matthew 20:18 Mean?

Matthew 20:18 in the King James Version says “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and the... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

Matthew 20:18 · KJV


Context

16

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

17

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

18

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

19

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

20

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem (Ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν)—The imperative idou (behold) demands attention for this climactic revelation. The Son of man shall be betrayed (παραδοθήσεται)—The divine passive paradothēsetai indicates God's sovereign hand behind Judas's treachery (Acts 2:23). Unto the chief priests and unto the scribes—The religious establishment, not Roman power, will initiate Jesus's execution, fulfilling the pattern of Israel rejecting her prophets.

They shall condemn him to death (κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ)—The future tense katakrinousin reveals Jesus's prophetic foreknowledge. The Sanhedrin possessed religious authority but lacked the ius gladii (right of the sword) under Roman occupation, necessitating the handover to Gentiles in verse 19.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sanhedrin, composed of 71 members including chief priests (Sadducees) and scribes (Pharisees), served as the supreme Jewish court. Under Roman prefect Pontius Pilate (AD 26-36), the Sanhedrin could try capital cases but required Roman approval for execution. The chief priests, controlled by the high-priestly family of Annas, had vested interests in maintaining temple commerce that Jesus threatened.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's foreknowledge of betrayal by religious authorities expose the danger of institutionalized religion divorced from love?
  2. What does the divine passive voice ('shall be betrayed') teach about God's sovereignty over human evil?
  3. Why did Jesus repeatedly predict His death when the disciples consistently failed to understand?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
Ἰδού,1 of 18

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἀναβαίνομεν2 of 18

we go up

G305

to go up (literally or figuratively)

εἰς3 of 18

to

G1519

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

Ἱεροσόλυμα4 of 18

Jerusalem

G2414

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

καὶ5 of 18

and

G2532

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

6 of 18
G3588

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

υἱὸς7 of 18

the Son

G5207

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

τοῦ8 of 18
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου9 of 18

of man

G444

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

παραδοθήσεται10 of 18

shall be betrayed

G3860

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

τοῖς11 of 18
G3588

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

ἀρχιερεῦσιν12 of 18

unto the chief priests

G749

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

καὶ13 of 18

and

G2532

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

γραμματεῦσιν14 of 18

unto the scribes

G1122

a professional writer

καὶ15 of 18

and

G2532

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

κατακρινοῦσιν16 of 18

they shall condemn

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

αὐτὸν17 of 18

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

θανάτῳ18 of 18

to death

G2288

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


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 20:18 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 20:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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