Second Passion Prediction Context in Matthew 17
The Second Passion Prediction in Matthew 17
Matthew 17:22-23 records Jesus' second prediction of his passion: "And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry" [1]. This passage is part of a larger narrative that includes Jesus' transfiguration and the healing of a demoniac boy.
Literary Context
The second passion prediction is situated within a section of Matthew's Gospel that highlights Jesus' authority and the disciples' understanding of his mission. The preceding verses (Matthew 17:1-21) describe Jesus' transfiguration, where he is revealed in his divine glory, and the subsequent healing of a boy possessed by a demon, demonstrating Jesus' power over evil spirits. The prediction of his passion serves as a counterpoint to these displays of power, emphasizing the suffering that Jesus must endure [3, 4].
Historical Setting
The prediction occurs during Jesus' journey through Galilee, a region where he had previously ministered and gained significant following. The fact that Jesus "would not that any man should know it" (Mark 9:30) suggests that he was avoiding public attention, focusing instead on preparing his disciples for the events that were to come [4].
Key Terms and Exegetical Decisions
The phrase "betrayed into the hands of men" is significant, as it highlights the human agency involved in Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. The use of "Son of man" emphasizes Jesus' identity as the Messiah, while also underscoring his vulnerability to human mistreatment. The prediction also includes the detail that Jesus "shall be raised again the third day," which serves as a reminder of the ultimate triumph over death [7].
Range of Interpretations
The early Church Fathers saw Jesus' repeated predictions of his passion as a necessary preparation for the disciples, who were struggling to understand the nature of his mission. Augustine notes that Jesus "foretold his passion in private to his disciples" on multiple occasions, emphasizing the importance of this knowledge for their future ministry [6].
Reformed theologians, such as Charles Hodge, have interpreted Jesus' predictions as part of a larger narrative that underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Hodge argues that the predictions in the New Testament, including Jesus' passion predictions, "evidently refer to a single event; to an event in the future, not now in progress; an event which shall attract the attention of all" [5].
Nonconformist and Puritan commentators, like Matthew Henry, have emphasized the emotional impact of Jesus' prediction on the disciples, noting that they "were exceeding sorry" upon hearing the news. Henry sees this reaction as a natural response to the news of Jesus' impending suffering and death [7].
Function in Tradition
The second passion prediction has played a significant role in Christian theology and liturgy. It has been seen as a key moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting his willingness to suffer and die for the sake of humanity. The prediction has also been used to underscore the importance of discipleship, as Jesus' followers are called to take up their own crosses and follow him [2].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Philippians 1:17 — But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: 1Pet.2.21 → Matt.16.24 (confidence: 17 votes)”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 17 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. Christ in his pomp and glory transfigured (Mat 17:1-13). II. Christ in his power and grace, casting the devil out of a child (Mat 17:14-21). And, III. Christ in his poverty and great humiliation, 1. Foretelling his own sufferings (Mat 17:22, Mat 17:23). 2. Paying tribute (Mat 17:24-27). So that here is Christ, the Brightness of his Father's glory, by himself purging our sins, paying our debts, and destroying for us him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Thus were the several indications of Christ's gracious i”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 17 (introduction): HEALING OF A DEMONIAC BOY--SECOND EXPLICIT ANNOUNCEMENT BY OUR LORD OF HIS APPROACHING DEATH AND RESURRECTION. ( = Mark 9:14-32; Luk 9:37-45). (Mat 17:14-23) And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them--Mark (Mar 9:30), as usual, is very precise here: "And they departed thence"--that is, from the scene of the last miracle--"and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it." So this was not a preaching, but a private, journey through Galilee. Indeed, His public ministry in Galilee was now all but conclude”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 86: full accomplishment; or that they are now being fulfilled in the silent progress of the Gospel. They include the past and the present, but much remains to be accomplished in the future more in accordance with their literal meaning. (2.) The character of the predictions in the New Testament does not admit of their being made to refer to any spiritual coming of Christ or to the constant progress of his Church. They evidently refer to a single event; to an event in the future, not now in progress; an event which shall attract the attention o”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. LXIV.--OF THE OCCASIONS ON WHICH HE FORETOLD HIS PASSION IN PRIVATE TO HIS DISCIPLES; AND OF THE TIME WHEN THE MOTHER OF ZEBEDEE'S CHILDREN CAME WITH HER SONS, REQUESTING THAT ONE OF THEM SHOULD: 124. Matthew continues his narrative in the following terms: "And Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart, and said unto them, 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, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, a”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 17:22: Christ here foretels his own sufferings; he began to do it before (Mat 16:21); and, finding that it was to his disciples a hard saying, he saw it necessary to repeat it. There are some things which God speaketh once, yea twice, and yet man perceiveth it not. Observe here, 1. What he foretold concerning himself - that he should be betrayed and killed. He perfectly knew, before, all things that should come to him, and yet undertook the work of our redemption, which greatly commends his love; nay, his clear foresight of them was a kind of ante-passion, had not his ”