Luke 9:22
Saying, 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.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
G3754
Δεῖ
must
G1163
Δεῖ
must
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
3 of 25
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
The Son
G5207
υἱὸν
The Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πολλὰ
many things
G4183
πολλὰ
many things
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
8 of 25
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
παθεῖν
suffer
G3958
παθεῖν
suffer
Strong's:
G3958
Word #:
9 of 25
to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι
be rejected
G593
ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι
be rejected
Strong's:
G593
Word #:
11 of 25
to disapprove, i.e., (by implication) to repudiate
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 25
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρων
the elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
14 of 25
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀρχιερέων
chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
16 of 25
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 25
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 #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτῃ
the third
G5154
τρίτῃ
the third
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
23 of 25
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
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.Luke 9:44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.Mark 9:31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.Matthew 17:12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.1 Peter 1:11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin consisted of three groups: elders (lay aristocracy), chief priests (priestly aristocracy, mostly Sadducees), and scribes (legal experts, mostly Pharisees). These groups rarely agreed, yet they would unite to condemn Jesus (Luke 22:66-71, 23:1). Jesus's prediction was shocking—the Messiah was expected to triumph, not suffer; to judge, not be judged; to reign, not die. Isaiah 53's suffering servant prophecies existed, but most Jews didn't connect them to the Messiah. Jesus's radical synthesis of Davidic king (Psalm 2, 110), Danielic Son of Man (Daniel 7), and Isaianic suffering servant (Isaiah 53) was unprecedented. The disciples couldn't process this (Mark 9:32, Luke 18:34), requiring resurrection to open their understanding (Luke 24:25-27, 44-46).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the word 'must' (divine necessity) teach about the cross being God's eternal plan, not a tragic accident or defeated Plan B?
- How does Jesus's combination of 'Son of man' (glorious Daniel 7 figure) with suffering, rejection, and death redefine messianic expectations?
- Why was the resurrection essential to vindicate Jesus's death as redemptive rather than merely tragic, and how does the third day fulfill Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things (εἰπὼν ὅτι Δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ παθεῖν, eipōn hoti Dei ton huion tou anthrōpou polla pathein)—The word dei (δεῖ, "must, it is necessary") indicates divine necessity, not mere probability. The cross wasn't accidental or Plan B but the eternal purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 4:28). The title "Son of man" comes from Daniel 7:13-14, where the figure receives eternal dominion—but Jesus radically reinterprets this glorious figure as a suffering servant, combining Daniel 7 with Isaiah 53.
And be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes (καὶ ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ ἀρχιερέων καὶ γραμματέων, kai apodokimasthēnai apo tōn presbyterōn kai archierōn kai grammateōn)—Jesus specifies the agents of rejection: the Sanhedrin's three constituent groups. The verb apodokimazō ("reject after examination, declare unfit") suggests official repudiation. The religious establishment, guardians of Israel's faith, will condemn Israel's Messiah—tragic irony. And be slain, and be raised the third day (καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ ἐγερθῆναι, kai apoktanthēnai kai tē hēmera tē tritē egerthēnai)—The passive voice of "be raised" (egerthēnai) indicates God raises Jesus; the resurrection vindicates the crucified Messiah. The third day fulfills Scripture (Hosea 6:2) and proves Jesus's death accomplished its purpose. This is the first explicit passion prediction in Luke, followed by two more (9:44, 18:31-33). Each grows more detailed as the cross approaches.