How does Matthew 17:23 deepen our understanding of Jesus' foreknowledge of His resurrection? Setting the Scene Matthew 17:23: “They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” The Plain Prediction • Jesus speaks in the indicative, not the hypothetical—“will kill… will be raised.” • He places His resurrection on a clear timetable: “the third day.” • The statement is delivered before the Passion Week, underscoring that none of what followed was accidental or unforeseen. Jesus’ Detailed Foreknowledge • Foreknowledge of Suffering – Matthew 16:21 had already set the pattern: “He must… be killed.” – In Matthew 17, the certainty intensifies; Jesus is marching toward the cross with open eyes. • Foreknowledge of Victory – “Raised to life” points to divine power over death (John 10:17-18). – Timing detail (“third day”) reveals mastery over events, fulfilling Jonah’s sign (Matthew 12:40). • Consistency Across the Gospels – Mark 9:31; Luke 9:22 echo the same wording, showing unified testimony. – John 2:19-22 records the temple-body parallel, confirming pre-crucifixion awareness. Why This Matters for Us Today • Reliability of Jesus’ Word – Every prophecy He makes is fulfilled; we can trust His promises (John 14:3). • Certainty of Redemption – If He knew and conquered death, our salvation rests on unshakable ground (Romans 4:25). • Encouragement in Suffering – The path to glory runs through hardship; resurrection hope anchors our endurance (2 Corinthians 4:14). Supporting Witness from Other Passages • Acts 2:23-24—Peter affirms the crucifixion “by God’s set plan and foreknowledge,” then the resurrection. • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4—Paul cites Christ’s death and resurrection “according to the Scriptures,” mirroring Jesus’ own timeline. • Revelation 1:18—The risen Christ holds “the keys of Death and Hades,” proving the foresight expressed in Matthew 17:23. Takeaway Truths to Embrace • Jesus’ foreknowledge underscores His sovereignty—nothing surprises Him. • Resurrection was not an afterthought; it was the planned climax of redemption. • The precise prophecy authenticates the gospel and secures our future hope. |
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