Luke 18:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.

NIV: Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

NASB: Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, 'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

CSB: Then he took the Twelve aside and told them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.

NLT: Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, 'Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true.

KJV: Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

NKJV: Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called the "Travelogue of Jesus" or the "Travelogue of Luke," depending on if the scholar is emphasizing Jesus' actions or Luke's literary organization. It is a collection of stories. Some are ordered by time, like a historical account. Others are arranged by theme, to show how Jesus teaches the disciples about the kingdom of God, preparing them for His death and resurrection and the building of the church.

This verse marks the beginning of the end. Jesus and His followers are headed specifically for Jerusalem. The remainder of the travelogue tracks their geographical movements.

Jesus knows He is going to the cross. Everything He has told the disciples about the kingdom of God cannot happen unless He dies. He has told the disciples this clearly twice (Luke 9:21–22, 44–45) and obliquely once (Luke 13:33). The disciples are still confused, although they vaguely understand there is a threat (John 11:16).

One of the biggest arguments facing Jesus and the early church is that the Jewish leaders refuse to see how many prophecies from the Old Testament Jesus fulfills. Even today, this is still a point of conflict between Christians and religious Jews. Jesus may be speaking about Psalm 22 which prophesies people casting lots for His clothing, God forsaking Him, His bones coming out of joint, and Gentiles piercing His hands and feet. Or He could be referring to Isaiah 53 which says Jesus will be like a silent lamb—not offering a legal defense when charged (Luke 23:9)—and will inhabit the tomb of a rich man (Luke 23:50–56). Or perhaps He had in mind Psalm 16:10 which promises God will not abandon His soul to the land of the dead or let His body decay. Jesus elsewhere told the religious leaders, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39). The Old Testament is filled with the truth of the gospel and replete with references to Christ.

The Jewish religious leaders of Jesus' day do not understand these prophetic passages and certainly do not associate the passages about suffering with the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14) who will receive authority and dominion over God's creation. Today, many religious Jews re-interpret certain messianic prophecies specifically to avoid applying them to Jesus. The disciples can't understand how Jesus' death fits in with God's plan for the Messiah and Israel. It isn't until later that the disciples are able to put the pieces together (Luke 24:27, 44–47; John 2:22; 14:26).

Luke 18:31–34 begins the end of the so-called "Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27) as well as the final comparison of the chapter. For the third time, Jesus clearly warns the disciples that He will be killed (Luke 9:21–22, 44–45). They still can't understand. Conversely, a blind man who could not have traveled with Jesus and heard His teaching recognizes that Jesus is the Son of David: the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the King of Israel (Luke 18:35–43). Jesus' prophecy is also recorded in Matthew 20:17–19 and Mark 10:32–34.

Luke 18 approaches the end of Jesus' "travelogue" to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27). Luke has selected miracles, teachings, and events to show how Jesus trained His disciples. His emphasis was explaining the kingdom of God in preparation for their work to build the church. Luke 18 includes several contrasts between those who understand God's kingdom and those who don't. Luke 19 includes the story of Zacchaeus and another parable before Jesus' triumphal entry and the Passion Week. These stories are also found primarily in Matthew 19—20 and Mark 10.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.