Matthew 20:18

What does Matthew 20:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 20:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 20:18 means

Jesus plainly declares He will be "delivered unto the chief priests and scribes," who will "condemn him to death." This prophecy is remarkably specific, outlining the betrayal and the role of Jewish religious authorities in His condemnation. Such a direct statement would have been shocking to the disciples, as it contradicts their prevailing expectations of a triumphant Messiah establishing an earthly kingdom. It emphasizes the divine necessity of these events.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

See, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be given into the hands of the chief priests and scribes; and they will give orders for him to be put to death,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Lo, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered to the chief priests and scribes,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse begins Jesus' third explicit prediction of His suffering, immediately following the geographical setting of the journey to Jerusalem. It lays out the initial stages of His passion: betrayal and condemnation by Jewish leaders. This stark prophecy sets the dire context for the next verse, which further details the horrific nature of His impending death at the hands of Gentiles.

v.17And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way he said unto them,

v.18This passage

v.19and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify: and the third day he shall be raised up.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:2

    Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

  • Matthew 16:21

    From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

  • Isaiah 53:1

    Who hath believed our message? and to whom hath the arm of Jehovah been revealed?

  • Psalms 69:1

    Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my soul.

  • Psalms 2:1

    Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

  • Matthew 26:66

    what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 20:18.