The predictions of Jesus concerning His own death are pivotal moments in the New Testament, revealing His foreknowledge and the divine plan for salvation. These predictions are recorded in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—and are essential for understanding the mission and purpose of Jesus' earthly ministry.

First Prediction

The first prediction occurs shortly after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah. In Matthew 16:21 , it is written: "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." This passage highlights the necessity ("must") of His suffering and death, indicating the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the redemptive plan.

In Mark 8:31 , the account is similarly recorded: "He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again." Luke 9:22 echoes this prediction: "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and on the third day be raised to life."

Second Prediction

The second prediction is found as Jesus and His disciples travel through Galilee. In Matthew 17:22-23 , Jesus tells them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life." The disciples' reaction is one of great distress, indicating their lack of understanding of the necessity and significance of these events.

Mark 9:31 provides a parallel account: "For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after He is killed, He will rise on the third day.'" Luke 9:44 records Jesus' words: "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men."

Third Prediction

The third and most detailed prediction occurs as Jesus and His disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. In Matthew 20:18-19 , Jesus declares, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life."

Mark 10:33-34 provides a similar account: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise again." Luke 18:31-33 also records this prediction: "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again."

Significance

These predictions underscore the foreknowledge and intentionality of Jesus' path to the cross. They reveal His obedience to the Father's will and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant (Isaiah 53). The repeated emphasis on His resurrection on the third day highlights the victory over death and the hope of eternal life for believers. The disciples' initial misunderstanding and distress reflect the radical nature of Jesus' mission, which defied their expectations of a triumphant, earthly Messiah.