Matthew 20:17
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
6 of 18
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
παρέλαβεν
took
G3880
παρέλαβεν
took
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
7 of 18
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατ'
apart
G2596
κατ'
apart
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
11 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἰδίαν
G2398
ἰδίαν
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
12 of 18
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδῷ
the way
G3598
ὁδῷ
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
15 of 18
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
Historical Context
This journey occurred during the spring Passover pilgrimage of AD 30, when hundreds of thousands traveled to Jerusalem. Jewish pilgrims sang the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) as they climbed toward the Temple Mount. Jesus's deliberate march toward Jerusalem fulfills His resolute determination in Luke 9:51 to 'set his face' toward the city where prophets die.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's intentional isolation of the Twelve for hard truth challenge our tendency to avoid difficult conversations in Christian community?
- What does the geographical language of 'going up' to Jerusalem reveal about the nature of Christ's mission?
- How should the disciples' need for repeated passion predictions shape our understanding of spiritual growth and the slow work of comprehension?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem (ἀναβαίνων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα)—The verb anabainōn (going up) is geographically accurate, as Jerusalem sits 2,500 feet above sea level, but carries theological weight: this is the final ascent to the cross. Took the twelve disciples apart (παρέλαβεν τοὺς δώδεκα)—Jesus deliberately isolates the Twelve for private revelation, using parelaben (took aside), signaling the gravity of what follows.
This is the third and most detailed passion prediction in Matthew (16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19). The private instruction contrasts sharply with the crowds following Him; the disciples needed preparation for the scandal of the cross that would soon obliterate their messianic expectations.