Matthew 17:22-23 And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:… 1. In rapid succession the Saviour brings before His disciples the great facts in His history as the Mediator — facts which have the most direct bearing on man's redemption and spiritual recovery. 2. His complete knowledge of His future, and the calm magnanimity with which He talked about these stupendous events, demonstrate Him to be superhuman. 3. What considerate kindness toward His disciples does this evince. For it was not only necessary that their material notions of His mission should be corrected (Luke 9:43, 44); but still more necessary that they should be prepared for these wonderful events, so that when they come they should regard them as the fulfilment of His prediction and an argument for faith. I. THE SAVIOUR FORTELLING THE GREAT FACTS IN HIS HISTORY AS MEDIATOR 1. He foretells His betrayal — "Betrayed into the hands of men" — The men to whom He was allied by nature, and from whom He might therefore expect pity and tenderness; men whom He had undertaken to save, and from whom therefore He might expect honour and gratitude; but these were His persecutors and murderers" (Acts 2:23). 2. He foretells His passion and death. His being " killed " was the mortal termination of His sufferings, and nothing less would satisfy the rage of His foes. (1) The manner of His death is expressly mentioned (Matthew 20:17-19). (2) The Saviour declares the necessity of His sufferings and death (Matthew 16:21). This necessity was independent of prophecy. To accomplish His redeeming purposes He "must " suffer and die. God cannot forgive sin on the ground of mercy.(3) The voluntariness of His sufferings and death is manifest. He foreknew all. He could have escaped all. He was free. The will of the Father did not coerce the Son. Besides, there can be no merit in exacted suffering. Herein, behold the wonderful love of Jesus! (John 10:18; Romans 5:5, 6). 3. He foretells His resurrection. This event is not only the crowning evidence of His claims, and the commencement of His state of exaltation, but the demonstration of the sufficiency of His atonement (Romans 4:24, 25; Romans 1:3, 4: 8:34; Acts 17:31). If we are true believers we have a personal interest in every part of His mediatorial work. II. THE DISCIPLES SORROWING EXCEEDINGLY BUT IMPROPERLY. There is no evidence that their" sorrow was on account of the sins involved in these coming events. And though it showed their love to their Master, it also disclosed their ignorance of the real character of His mission. 1. For if it was sorrow for themselves it was improper, because the accomplishment of these facts were essential to their happiness (John 16:7). How often we regret the loss which serves our highest interest! 2. If it was sorrow for their fellow-men it was improper, for His sufferings, etc., were the only means of their redemption and spiritual recovery. 3. If it was sorrow for their loved Master and Lord it was improper, for His sufferings, etc., were an essential part of His great plan, and the prelude to His glory (1 Peter 1:11). In His deepest agonies, He is an object for praise not pity — commendation not commiseration. (A. Tucker.) Parallel Verses KJV: And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: |
    |