The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Matthew 20:17-19

A few years ago a certain church marketing newsletter (Church’s Advertising Network) promoted a campaign to attract people at Easter. In this public relations campaign, they suggested that the church downplay the negative image of the crucifixion and focus only on the positive image of the resurrection. One pastor interviewed for the campaign gave his wholehearted endorsement, saying, “We are going to attempt to concentrate on the resurrection, and not the death of Jesus.”

Can you imagine Easter without the cross? Is it possible to have the resurrection without the crucifixion? It distorts the entire gospel if Christ’s crucifixion is separated from His resurrection. The way to the empty tomb must always go through the cross. The Savior who was raised from the dead on Sunday is none other than Christ Jesus who was crucified on Friday. Easter without a cross is a hoax.

Easter is good news because of the cross. Paul gives a summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Jesus Himself described His betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection for us in this morning’s passage, Matthew 20:17-19. This is the third time in Matthew that Jesus specifically predicted His death and resurrection. In Matthew 16, we saw that after Peter’s great confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Matthew writes,

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (Matt. 16:21).

Again in Matthew 17, Jesus told His disciples, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.”  

Out of all the portions of Scripture in which Jesus told His disciples in advance of His death and resurrection, this one is the most detailed. And as we will see as we study further into Matthew’s Gospel, every detail of what Jesus says in it truly happened to Him.

Setting: The Journey to Jerusalem (Matt. 20:17)

“Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them…” (Matt 20:17). We saw in Matthew 19:1 that Jesus had finished His Galilean ministry and was on His way to Jerusalem. It was the time of year when people were making their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Unleavened Bread and the Passover. Jews from all over the world made their way to the holy city. The way to Jerusalem from Galilee through Perea was especially busy as many took this same route that Jesus and His disciples walked.

Most pilgrims were likely joyful and excited about going up for the feast with their families and friends. But the mood was more somber with Jesus and His disciples. When Mark tells us the story in his Gospel, he says that as the disciples were on the road going up to Jerusalem, “Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed, they were afraid” (Mark 10:32). We can understand their fear when we remember how the opposition to Jesus from the religious leaders had been growing. It was common knowledge that they wanted to destroy Jesus (Matt. 12:14; Mark 3:3; Luke 6:11; John 5:18; 10:39; 11:53,57). Things would certainly get worse in Jerusalem where the chief priests and Pharisees held so much power.

Matthew tells us that Jesus “took the twelve disciples aside on the road” to explain to them about His death and resurrection. Jesus was anticipating His arrival in Jerusalem. He was anticipating His arrest and unfair trial. He was anticipating His death and resurrection. So, He wished to be alone with His disciples so He could prepare them for the terrible and spectacular events that awaited them in Jerusalem.

They needed to be told again because we know that they did not understand it when Jesus told them before. When Jesus told them about His suffering and death the first time (Matt. 16:21), the idea was so offensive to Peter that he took Jesus aside and rebuked Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matt. 16:22). After Jesus told them again in Matthew 17, the disciples “were exceedingly sorrowful” (Matt. 17:23).

The disciples were still anticipating a glorious earthly kingdom. They anticipated the rewards that they might receive for following Jesus (Matt. 19:27). Even though Jesus has just taught them through the parable of the workers in the vineyard that, “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:16), in the very next scene James and John have their mother ask for them positions of honor in the kingdom. Jesus’ focus on His suffering and sacrifice stands in stark contrast to the attitude of the disciples who are focused on rewards and thrones. Osbourne comments, “Jesus is aware of his destiny and deliberately chooses the cross, while the disciples, aware of nothing, are consumed with their own desire for greatness.”[i]  

That is the setting for Jesus’ prediction. We now turn to the content of His teaching. Jesus teaches about three necessary events that will happen when they go up to Jerusalem: His betrayal and condemnation, His delivery to the Gentiles and crucifixion, and His resurrection on the third day. This is the same three points that Paul made in 1 Corinthians 15 when he explained the gospel message and defended Christ’s resurrection. To be saved, you must believe these three things about Jesus. He was…

1. Betrayed and Condemned (Matt. 20:18)

Jesus tells His disciples, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,” (Matt. 20:18).

He started off saying “Behold” to get their attention. He then reminds them that “we are going up to Jerusalem.” The city of Jerusalem was about twenty miles west from the region of “Judea beyond the Jordan” (Matt. 19:1) or Perea, where Jesus had been traveling with His disciples. They would cross back over the Jordan River near Jericho and make the trek uphill to Jerusalem. It was a steep climb from 1200 feet below sea level at Jericho to 2600 feet in altitude at Jerusalem. It would normally take several days to get there.

Now, Jesus tells His disciples again in more detail what awaits Him at Jerusalem. He says it will be betrayal and condemnation, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death” (Matt. 20:18).

First, notice what the Lord calls Himself here. He refers to Himself as “The Son of Man“. This is a title that would have drawn the disciples to the Old Testament prophecy of Daniel. In Daniel 7, we read of Daniel’s vision of the end-times and of the future reign of the Messiah:

I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14).

Jesus deliberately chose to use the title “Son of Man” to refer to Himself. He didn’t simply say, “I am going to be betrayed . . .”; but rather, that “the Son of Man is going to be betrayed . . .” He wanted to emphasize the glory of who He truly was. In using this title, Jesus indicated that He was undergoing these things as the promised Messiah and King.

And perhaps, in the process, the disciples would have remembered what else is promised about the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy. Daniel 9:26 says that after a certain time, “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself.” This promised Messiah would not only one day rule a kingdom that will not be destroyed, but He must also be “cut off” for the sake of others!

Jesus knew the scriptures. He knew the prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus was making it clear that He knew in advance what was about to happen. He knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem—even down to the precise details. This ought to cause us to be humbled in awe before our Savior. His humanity certainly would have recoiled from the suffering that awaited Him. It would have been natural for Him to avoid going to Jerusalem at all. And yet, Jesus went willingly and resolutely to die on the cross—”not for Himself“, as Daniel says, but for us.

Jesus predicted His betrayal, “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes” (Matt. 20:18). Matthew 26 records how this took place:

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. (Matt. 26:14-16).

Then Matthew tells us that after Jesus had celebrated the Passover with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray. After repeatedly praying and returning to find His disciples asleep, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Matt. 26:45-46). Then Matthew records,

⁴⁷ And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” ⁴⁹ Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. (Matt. 26:47-50).

As Jesus spoke this prediction of His betrayal, His betrayer was right there among the twelve. Jesus knew it. Yet, because He also knew it had to happen this way in fulfillment of scripture and the Father’s will, Jesus did not expose His betrayer yet.

Just as Jesus predicted, Judas betrayed Him “to the chief priests and to the scribes.” The chief priests were the aristocratic, upper-echelon priests who inherited their positions. They controlled the temple and dictated the temple service of the rest of the priests. The scribes were the experts in scriptures and traditions who interpreted the law of Moses. Many of these were high ranking Pharisees. Together, they made up the ruling council of the Jews, the Sanhedrin who held a mock trial and condemned Jesus.

Again, Matthew 26 records,

⁵⁷ And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. ⁵⁸ But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. ⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, ⁶⁰ but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward ⁶¹ and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” ⁶² And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! ⁶⁶ “What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” (Matt. 26:57-66).

They condemned Jesus for speaking blasphemy. Yet, Jesus was speaking the truth about Himself. They condemned Him because they would not believe in Him—that He was the divine Son of Man who would reign at God’s right hand.

Next Jesus predicts that He would be…

2. Delivered Over and Crucified (Matt. 20:19a)

In Matthew 20:19, Jesus says that the chief priests and scribes would, “… deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify…” To deliver or hand over meant to give Jesus over to their power and authority. Jesus knew the Jews did not have the authority to put Him to death and therefore had to hand Him over to the Gentiles to carry out the death sentence. Matthew 27:1-2 says,

¹ When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. ² And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matt. 27:1-2).

And now, Jesus gives details about His suffering that He did not disclose to His disciples before—how they would mock Him and scourge Him, and how He would die by crucifixion. Matthew 27:26-31 describes the how Gentiles scourged and mocked Him:

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. ²⁷ Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. ²⁸ And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. ²⁹ When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. (Matt. 27:26-31).

It happened exactly as Jesus predicted because it was the will of God. The Messiah’s suffering and death was planned by God ages before it was plotted and carried out by these evil men. Jesus knew why He had come to earth and every detail of how His life and death would fulfill the scriptures according to the will of God.

And He also knew that His death would not be the end of the story. Because Jesus also predicted He would be …

3. Resurrected the Third Day (Matt. 20:19b)

We read Matthew’s resurrection account (Matt. 28:1-10) at the beginning of our worship service today. We heard how as the first day of the week began to dawn “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door” (Matt. 28:2). We read how he spoke to the women who had come to the tomb saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matt. 28:5-6). We read that as they went with great fear and joy to tell the disciples, Jesus met them saying, “Rejoice!” and  “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matt. 28:9,10).

So we see the death and resurrection of Jesus. The two cannot be separated. The question that comes to us is, “Why?” Why did Jesus subject Himself to these things? If Jesus knew what was going to happen, why did He continue? The answer to this question comes in Matthew 20:28, one of the greatest verses in the Bible. Jesus said, ” just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” When Jesus died, it wasn’t without purpose. When Jesus died, it wasn’t just another man dying as a criminal. There was a specific reason why He died. “to give His life a ransom for many.” As we know from the rest of the scriptures, He gave His life to redeem the souls of sinners who would believe in Him. It was one life for many. His single death paid for the life of many others. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is not an afterthought, but is bound closely to the crucifixion as the key means by which Jesus will accomplish the redemption of His people.

We are here today, worshiping Jesus Christ, because His death two thousand years ago paid for our sin today. This is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We, who are sinners and deserve to die because of our sin, don’t die because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf to pay the debt that we owed to God for our sin. As we believe that news and trust that news, we are redeemed from our sin. God has bought us back from the bondage in which we found ourselves due to our sin.

We are here today because Jesus did not stay in the grave. He rose the third day, just as He said He would. If Jesus had not been raised, we would have no forgiveness, no hope, no life, and no heaven. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15,

¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (1 Cor. 15:17-19).

The only reason for us gathering here today is because Jesus is alive. There is no other explanation for proclamation of the gospel and the spread of the church. It is precisely because Jesus rose from the dead! All our faith and hope rests on that fact.

The death and resurrection of Jesus redeemed us from our sin. That’s what Matthew 20:28 is speaking about. That’s what being a Christian is all about. It’s about believing and trusting in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Have you bowed the knee to Jesus Christ? Do you trust in His atoning sacrifice for your sins? Then, today should be a wonderful time of celebration, as you remember Jesus paying the ransom for your sins. Today should filled with joy as you celebrate our risen Savior and Lord. Today should be filled with hope as we have the assurance of our own resurrection and heaven because Christ has been raised.

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[i] Grant Osbourne, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Matthew, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, p. 735.