The predictions of Jesus concerning His death and resurrection are pivotal moments in the New Testament, underscoring His mission and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. These predictions are recorded in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—and are essential for understanding the purpose of Jesus' earthly ministry and the foundation of Christian faith.

First Prediction

The first prediction occurs after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ. 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 announcement marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry, as He begins to prepare His disciples for the events that will lead to His crucifixion and resurrection.

In Mark 8:31 , the account is similarly recorded: "Then He 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 message: "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 made as Jesus and His disciples travel through Galilee. In Matthew 17:22-23 , Jesus tells them, "The Son of Man is about 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 are described as being deeply grieved by this revelation.

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 three days He will rise.'" Luke 9:44-45 adds that the disciples did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them, so they did not perceive its meaning.

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, "Look, 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 records Jesus saying, "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 hand 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 similarly recounts this prediction, emphasizing the fulfillment of what was written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man.

Significance

These predictions are significant for several reasons. They demonstrate Jesus' foreknowledge of the events that would lead to His crucifixion and resurrection, affirming His divine nature and the fulfillment of His redemptive mission. The repeated emphasis on His resurrection on the third day highlights the victory over sin and death, which is central to Christian doctrine. The disciples' initial lack of understanding and subsequent realization after the resurrection underscore the transformative power of these events in the foundation of the early Church.