What is the meaning of Luke 18:31? Then Jesus took the Twelve aside Jesus pulls the disciples away from the crowds, signaling the importance and intimacy of what He is about to reveal. • Personal instruction: “He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples” (Mark 4:34). • Growing preparedness: Earlier He had already warned them—“The Son of Man must suffer many things” (Luke 9:22)—yet they needed repeated, gentle clarification. • Discipleship model: By taking them aside, Jesus shows that following Him involves regular moments of focused teaching (compare Matthew 13:11). Application: The Lord still draws believers aside through His Word and Spirit to prepare us for difficult truths and obedient service. Look, we are going up to Jerusalem The journey is deliberate; Jerusalem is not merely the next stop but the divinely appointed stage for redemption. • Fixed resolve: “When the days were nearing for Him to be taken up, He resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). • Prophetic necessity: “It is not possible for a prophet to perish outside Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33). • Significance of the city: – Center of sacrifice—the temple where Passover lambs were slain (Exodus 12; John 1:29). – Seat of religious authority that would reject Him (Acts 4:27). – Focal point of messianic prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). Application: Jesus walks toward suffering with purpose, showing that God’s plan often leads through, not around, hardship. Everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled This promise affirms both the reliability of Scripture and the identity of Jesus. • “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself” (Luke 24:27). • Key foretold events Jesus has in view: – Betrayal by a close friend (Psalm 41:9). – Mocking and scourging (Isaiah 50:6). – Pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10). – Death with criminals and burial with the rich (Isaiah 53:9, 12). – Resurrection (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:11). • “Son of Man” echoes Daniel 7:13–14, where the One like a son of man receives an everlasting kingdom—linking humiliation to ultimate exaltation (Philippians 2:8–11). Application: Every prophecy concerning the first coming came true; we can therefore trust promises concerning His return (Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20). summary Luke 18:31 shows Jesus privately preparing His disciples, purposefully heading to Jerusalem, and confidently affirming that every prophetic word about the Messiah will come true. The verse calls us to trust the Scriptures, follow Christ with resolve, and rest in God’s unfailing plan. |
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