The necessity of suffering and resurrection: 'And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.' Jesus declares: 'Thus it is written' (οὕτως γέγραπται, houtōs gegraptai)—Scripture prophesied these events. The content: 'it behoved Christ to suffer' (παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν, pathein ton Christon)—the Messiah must suffer. The word 'behoved' implies divine necessity. Then: 'to rise from the dead the third day' (ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, anastēnai ek nekrōn tē tritē hēmera). Both suffering and resurrection were prophesied and necessary. This corrects Jewish expectation of conquering Messiah—glory comes through suffering, exaltation through humiliation, life through death.
Historical Context
Isaiah 53 prophesied the suffering servant who would bear sin and be vindicated. Psalm 16:10 predicted resurrection ('thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption'—quoted in Acts 2:27, 13:35). Hosea 6:2 mentions rising 'on the third day.' Jesus' claim isn't arbitrary but rooted in Scripture. The early church's central message was Christ's death and resurrection according to Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Apostolic preaching consistently argued from Old Testament that Messiah must suffer and rise (Acts 17:2-3, 26:22-23). This demonstrates Christianity's Jewish roots and Scripture's unity. New Testament gospel fulfills Old Testament anticipation.
Questions for Reflection
What Old Testament passages prophesy Messiah's suffering and resurrection?
Why was suffering a necessary prerequisite for Messiah's glory?
How does Jesus' interpretation of Scripture correct Jewish messianic expectations?
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Analysis & Commentary
The necessity of suffering and resurrection: 'And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.' Jesus declares: 'Thus it is written' (οὕτως γέγραπται, houtōs gegraptai)—Scripture prophesied these events. The content: 'it behoved Christ to suffer' (παθεῖν τὸν Χριστὸν, pathein ton Christon)—the Messiah must suffer. The word 'behoved' implies divine necessity. Then: 'to rise from the dead the third day' (ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, anastēnai ek nekrōn tē tritē hēmera). Both suffering and resurrection were prophesied and necessary. This corrects Jewish expectation of conquering Messiah—glory comes through suffering, exaltation through humiliation, life through death.