What does "the Son of Man will go as it has been determined" mean? Context of the Statement Luke 22:22: “For the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed.” • Spoken during the Last Supper, moments before Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14-20). • Judas has already arranged the betrayal (Luke 22:3-6). • Jesus is addressing His disciples, affirming God’s sovereign plan and warning of human guilt. Breaking Down the Key Phrases • “The Son of Man” – Jesus’ favorite self-designation (Daniel 7:13-14). – Emphasizes His messianic authority and shared humanity. • “Will go” – A deliberate, purposeful departure to the cross, not a tragic accident (John 10:17-18). • “As it has been determined” – Greek: horismenos, “fixed, appointed.” – Points to God’s eternal decree and prophetic plan (Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28). Prophetic Foundations Old Testament passages that sketched this “determined” path: • Genesis 3:15 – the seed who will crush the serpent. • Psalm 22 – pierced hands and feet, divided garments. • Isaiah 53:5-10 – the Servant wounded, crushed, yet prospering. • Zechariah 12:10; 13:7 – the pierced one, the struck Shepherd. Every step to Calvary was previewed centuries earlier, confirming divine foreknowledge and intent. Divine Sovereignty & Human Responsibility • God planned the redemptive death of Christ (“as it has been determined”). • Judas still bears full responsibility (“woe to that man”). • Scripture consistently holds both truths together: – Acts 2:23 – “this Man, delivered over by the deliberate plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross.” – Proverbs 19:21 – “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” Why This Matters for Believers • Assurance: Our salvation rests on God’s unshakable purpose, not human whim. • Awe: The cross was not a contingency plan; it was the centerpiece of God’s eternal design. • Accountability: Knowing God’s sovereignty never excuses sin; choices still carry real consequences. • Confidence in Scripture: Prophecies fulfilled in detail reinforce the reliability of every biblical promise. Takeaway “The Son of Man will go as it has been determined” tells us that Jesus’ path to the cross was fixed by God’s sovereign will, meticulously foretold, and flawlessly executed—yet human actors remained responsible for their actions. In that collision of divine purpose and human choice, the world’s redemption was secured. |
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