Matthew 20:18
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Original Language Analysis
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 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 #:
4 of 18
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 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 #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
7 of 18
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδοθήσεται
shall be betrayed
G3860
παραδοθήσεται
shall be betrayed
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
10 of 18
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
unto the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
unto the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
12 of 18
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 18
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 #:
15 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 16:21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.Matthew 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Matthew 26:66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Historical Context
The Sanhedrin, composed of 71 members including chief priests (Sadducees) and scribes (Pharisees), served as the supreme Jewish court. Under Roman prefect Pontius Pilate (AD 26-36), the Sanhedrin could try capital cases but required Roman approval for execution. The chief priests, controlled by the high-priestly family of Annas, had vested interests in maintaining temple commerce that Jesus threatened.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's foreknowledge of betrayal by religious authorities expose the danger of institutionalized religion divorced from love?
- What does the divine passive voice ('shall be betrayed') teach about God's sovereignty over human evil?
- Why did Jesus repeatedly predict His death when the disciples consistently failed to understand?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem (Ἰδοὺ ἀναβαίνομεν)—The imperative idou (behold) demands attention for this climactic revelation. The Son of man shall be betrayed (παραδοθήσεται)—The divine passive paradothēsetai indicates God's sovereign hand behind Judas's treachery (Acts 2:23). Unto the chief priests and unto the scribes—The religious establishment, not Roman power, will initiate Jesus's execution, fulfilling the pattern of Israel rejecting her prophets.
They shall condemn him to death (κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτὸν θανάτῳ)—The future tense katakrinousin reveals Jesus's prophetic foreknowledge. The Sanhedrin possessed religious authority but lacked the ius gladii (right of the sword) under Roman occupation, necessitating the handover to Gentiles in verse 19.