Mark 8:31

Authorized King James Version

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤρξατο

G756

he began

to commence (in order of time)

διδάσκειν

G1321

to teach

to teach (in the same broad application)

αὐτοὺς

G846

them

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

ὅτι

G3754

that

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

δεῖ

G1163

must

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

τὸν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸν

G5207

the Son

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#10

ἀνθρώπου

G444

of man

man-faced, i.e., a human being

#11

πολλὰ

G4183

many things

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

#12

παθεῖν

G3958

suffer

to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)

#13

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#14

ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι

G593

be rejected

to disapprove, i.e., (by implication) to repudiate

#15

ἀπὸ

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

#16

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

πρεσβυτέρων

G4245

the elders

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"

#18

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

ἀρχιερέων

G749

of the chief priests

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

#20

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#21

γραμματέων

G1122

scribes

a professional writer

#22

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#23

ἀποκτανθῆναι

G615

be killed

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

#24

καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#25

μετὰ

G3326

after

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

#26

τρεῖς

G5140

three

"three"

#27

ἡμέρας

G2250

days

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

#28

ἀναστῆναι·

G450

rise again

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Mark Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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