Luke 9:44
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The 'Son of Man' title comes from Daniel 7:13-14, describing one who receives an everlasting kingdom from the Ancient of Days. Jewish expectation assumed this figure would come in triumph, not suffering. Jesus redefined the title by combining it with Isaiah's Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)—the Son of Man must suffer before reigning. This corrected contemporary Messianic hopes. The disciples resisted this teaching (Peter rebuked Jesus, Matthew 16:22), but Jesus insisted suffering was necessary. The passive voice 'shall be delivered' indicates divine sovereignty—God orchestrated the cross for redemption. Judas' betrayal, the Sanhedrin's condemnation, and Pilate's sentence all fulfilled God's predetermined plan (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28).
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus command the disciples to deliberately store His passion prediction in their ears, and what does this teach about intentional spiritual memory?
- How does the wordplay 'Son of Man delivered into hands of men' emphasize both Jesus' humanity and His mission?
- What does Jesus' insistence on teaching about suffering immediately after a powerful miracle correct in our expectations of Christian life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. The command thesthe hymeis eis ta ōta hymōn tous logous toutous (Θέσθε ὑμεῖς εἰς τὰ ὦτα ὑμῶν τοὺς λόγους τούτους, "You yourselves put into your ears these words") uses emphatic personal pronouns—hymeis (you yourselves). The verb thesthe (put, place, or let sink) from tithēmi (τίθημι) means to deliberately store or treasure. Jesus demands active, intentional listening and remembering.
The prediction: the Son of man shall be delivered (ho huios tou anthrōpou mellei paradidosthai, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου μέλλει παραδίδοσθαι)—mellei indicates certain future, and paradidosthai (to be handed over or betrayed) is the verb used of Judas' betrayal and Jesus being given to Pilate. The phrase into the hands of men (εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων) creates wordplay—the Son of Man delivered to men's hands. This is the second passion prediction (first in 9:22), emphasizing divine necessity. Despite crowd amazement at power, Jesus faces suffering—the cross precedes the crown.