In Matthew chapter 17 we will look at a few statements that Jesus makes predicting his death and resurrection. The first statement occurs after the transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain, witnessed by Peter, James, and John.
Verses 9-13:
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
As the time drew nearer for Jesus’ crucifixion, he regularly begins to warn his disciples by telling them of his impending death and resurrection. He tells all his disciples in verses 22-23:
When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
If there is to be any hope for the salvation of mankind, Jesus’ punishment our sins is a must. The disciples were grieved at these statements made by Jesus. The thought that their Messiah would be put to death went against the popular notion of the day that the Messiah would bring about the exaltation of the children of Abraham and punishment for their oppressors. However, Jesus came first to reconcile all nations to God through his atoning sacrifice.
This should have been expected since there are many prophecies concerning both the suffering of the Messiah and blessing all nations through Abraham’s seed. But just like today, there were many who only listened to the partial message of God, ignoring the parts they did not want to hear.
Jesus suffered, died, and raised himself from the dead because there is no other way for man to be saved.