How does Luke 18:31 reveal Jesus' foreknowledge of His suffering and resurrection? Setting the Context • Luke 18 sits within Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. • The disciples expect a political victory; Jesus prepares them for a very different outcome. The Verse Itself (Luke 18:31) “Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.’” Clear Markers of Foreknowledge • “We are going” — Jesus knows the exact destination and timing. • “Everything that is written” — He consciously links forthcoming events to Scripture, showing awareness of prophetic detail. • “Will be fulfilled” — a confident future-tense promise, not a possibility. Foreknowledge of Suffering • Isaiah 53:3-5; Psalm 22:16-18 foretold rejection, scourging, piercing—sufferings Jesus knew awaited Him. • In the very next verses (Luke 18:32-33) He spells out arrest, mockery, flogging, death. • Earlier predictions: Luke 9:22; Matthew 16:21 reinforce that this was not a last-minute realization. Foreknowledge of Resurrection • Luke 18:33 continues, “…and on the third day He will rise again.” • Jesus repeatedly ties His passion to His resurrection (Mark 10:34; John 2:19-22). • Acts 2:23-24 affirms that both death and resurrection occurred “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” Old Testament Prophecies Echoed • Suffering: Isaiah 50:6; Daniel 9:26. • Resurrection: Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:11. • Jesus’ statement gathers these strands, showing He sees Himself as the prophetic centerpiece. Practical Implications for Believers • God’s plan is precise—nothing happens by accident (Romans 8:28). • Jesus’ willingness models obedient submission to the Father (Philippians 2:8). • The certainty of resurrection guarantees hope amid trials (1 Corinthians 15:20). Key Takeaways • Luke 18:31 is not mere travel information; it is a deliberate disclosure of divine strategy. • Jesus’ foreknowledge underlines His sovereignty and the reliability of Scripture. • Because He foresaw and embraced both cross and empty tomb, we can trust His words about our future as well. |
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