Luke 18:31
Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
Original Language Analysis
Παραλαβὼν
he took
G3880
Παραλαβὼν
he took
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
1 of 23
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 23
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
11 of 23
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τελεσθήσεται
shall be accomplished
G5055
τελεσθήσεται
shall be accomplished
Strong's:
G5055
Word #:
13 of 23
to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεγραμμένα
that are written
G1125
γεγραμμένα
that are written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
16 of 23
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
17 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
the prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
19 of 23
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱῷ
concerning the Son
G5207
υἱῷ
concerning the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
21 of 23
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Matthew 16:21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.Luke 9:51And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,Luke 9:22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.Daniel 9:26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.Mark 8:9And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Historical Context
Written during Luke's composition (c. AD 60-80), this prediction would resonate with readers who knew the crucifixion's outcome. The journey to Jerusalem dominates Luke 9:51-19:27—Jesus walks deliberately toward the cross, teaching disciples about suffering's necessity for both Messiah and followers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's foreknowledge of His suffering demonstrate both His divinity and His voluntary sacrifice?
- Which specific Old Testament prophecies does this verse invoke, and how does their fulfillment validate Scripture's reliability?
- What does Jesus's determination to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the outcome teach about obedience to God's will?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem (ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ, idou anabainomen eis Ierousalēm)—This is Jesus's third and most detailed passion prediction in Luke. The present tense anabainomen (we are going up) conveys both immediacy and inevitability. Jerusalem sits at 2,500 feet elevation; 'going up' was literal, but also theological—the city where prophets die (13:33).
All things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished (τελεσθήσεται πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα, telesthēsetai panta ta gegrammena)—the future passive telesthēsetai (will be fulfilled/completed) appears in John 19:30 as Jesus's final word ('It is finished'). This isn't tragedy but divine purpose: Isaiah 53's suffering servant, Psalm 22's forsaken one, Zechariah 12:10's pierced one. Jesus controls the narrative by predicting it, demonstrating His mission isn't derailed by suffering but fulfilled through it.