Luke 18:33
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μαστιγώσαντες
they shall scourge
G3146
μαστιγώσαντες
they shall scourge
Strong's:
G3146
Word #:
2 of 10
to flog (literally or figuratively)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 10
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
7 of 10
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 24:7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.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.Matthew 27:63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.Luke 24:21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
Historical Context
The third-day timeline distinguishes Jesus's resurrection from resuscitation. In Jewish thought, the soul lingered near the body for three days; after that, decay set in (John 11:39). Jesus's resurrection on the third day proves genuine death occurred, making His return to life irrefutable miracle, not near-death recovery.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the resurrection essential to Christian faith, and what would be lost if Jesus only died nobly?
- How does Jesus's prediction of resurrection demonstrate His authority over death itself?
- What comfort does the 'third day' pattern offer believers facing 'death'—whether literal or metaphorical darkness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They shall scourge him, and put him to death (μαστιγώσαντες ἀποκτενοῦσιν, mastigōsantes apoktenousin)—Mastigoō refers to the Roman flagellum, a whip embedded with bone and metal designed to flay flesh. Scourging often killed victims before crucifixion. Apokteinō (to kill) is blunt—Jesus doesn't euphemize His death.
And the third day he shall rise again (τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ ἀναστήσεται, tē hēmera tē tritē anastēsetai)—the resurrection isn't an afterthought but the climax. Anistēmi (to rise, stand up) in the future middle voice suggests Jesus will raise Himself (cf. John 10:18: 'I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again'). The 'third day' fulfills Hosea 6:2 ('After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up') and establishes Christianity's central claim: death is not defeat but the doorway to victory.