Jesus begins to speak about his death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-9:1)

I. JESUS’ FIRST PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION (8:31)

31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

A. For the first time Jesus spoke plainly about his upcoming passion and death.

This came immediately after Peter’s confession of him as the Christ. He wanted to emphasize to the disciples that he had not come to establish a political kingdom. His victory would be that of the Suffering Servant.

While the crucifixion is the culmination of Jesus’ suffering, he suffered other things. He suffered the rejection of his family and the continuous rejection of his teaching and his miracles by the religious leaders.

B. Jesus had not come to establish an earthly messianic kingdom at that time.

The expression “began to teach” suggests that the teaching was new. The term “Son of Man” was used previously only in 2:10, 28 with reference to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. In the last half of the Gospel, it is used more frequently with reference to Jesus’ suffering and death and his glorious return.

Jesus now described himself with his favorite self-designation, “Son of Man.” As a representative of humanity and one who would one day be their judge, he first must suffer judgment himself. These things must occur.

II. PETER’S REBUKE AND JESUS’ COUNTERREBUKE (8:32–33)

32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

III. JESUS’ TEACHING ON THE MEANING OF DISCIPLESHIP (8:34–9:1)

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”