Jesus Predicts His Suffering

INTRODUCTION

Please take your Bibles and turn with me to Mark 10:32-34.

Today, we examine Jesus' third prediction of His suffering—echoing His earlier words in Mark 8:31 and Mark 9:31.

Our passage today also appears in Matthew 20:17-19 and Luke 18:31-34.

Listen now as we read these harmonized passages from John MacArthur's book One Perfect Life (slides).

Jesus came for one purpose: to die for the sins of His people. 

As the angel declared in Matthew 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 

To accomplish this salvation, He had to die in their place, bearing the wrath we deserved (1 Pet.2:24; Isa.53:5).

With this foundation, let's see how Scripture unfolds this truth, revealing Christ’s unyielding resolve amid growing tension.

Mark shows us in verse 32 where…

I. Jesus Leads with Determination (v.32)

To Jerusalem

Jesus marched resolutely toward Jerusalem, leading the way. 

Matthew 20:29 notes a large crowd accompanied Him as they journeyed from the Jordan River—having skirted Samaria by traveling south through Perea after leaving Galilee.

“Jesus was walking on ahead of them”—willingly toward His death.

The Greek word proagōn paints Him as a conquering general leading His troops into battle, a striking paradox of sovereign leadership to the cross (cf. LSJ lexicon).

As Luke 9:51 declares, when the days for Him to be taken up were fulfilled, He set His face to go to Jerusalem. 

D. Edmond Hiebert captures it well when he says: He resolutely headed toward crucifixion, fully aware of the pain and rejection ahead, yet unwavering in His mission to redeem humanity.

Like Isaiah 53:7 foretold, He went “like a lamb led to slaughter, silent before its shearers.” 

With unshakeable conviction, Jesus marched ahead, drawing His anxious disciples forward by the power of His presence alone (MacArthur).

It says 2 times they were going “up to Jerusalem” (vv.32-33)

This is the first mention of Jerusalem as Jesus’ destination.

Because of the elevation of Jerusalem (about 2,550 ft. above sea level), travelers always spoke of going up to the city, regardless of where in Israel they started (MacArthur).

The prophets foretold that the Messiah would suffer and die in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:10 says, “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”

Notice also in verse 32 that…

The Twelve Were Amazed

They were (existemi) shocked and astonished at His boldness.

Other Followers Were Fearful

“And those who followed were fearful.”

They were gripped with “a sense of dread or apprehension” (Thayers).

D. Edmond Hiebert said, “They too sensed the atmosphere of tension, and forebodings of evil filled their hearts with fear.”

Jesus takes “the twelve aside” and begins “to tell them what was going to happen to Him”…

Luke 18:31 says, “But when He took the twelve aside, He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be completed.”

The first time Jesus told them this, “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests but man’s” (Mark 8:32-33).

The second time He told them this, “they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him” (Mark 9:31).

Now they’re “shocked and astonished” (Mark 10:32) and the others that were following were “afraid” (Mark 10:32) filled with “dread and apprehension.”

It is here where…

II. Jesus Predicts His Rejection (v.33)

He says to them with urgency, “Behold” (idou) or more specifically “pay attention”.

He says, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles.”

First he says the Son of Man will be…

Betrayed to the Religious Leaders (v.33a)

Jesus, Whom He identifies Himself as “the Son of Man”—a title He uses over 80 times in the Gospels (Matt. ~30; Mark ~14; Luke ~25; John ~12)—spoke of His earthly authority, suffering, and glorious return, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14 where He stands as God's equal.

He will be betrayed (paradidōmi)—delivered with treachery—to the chief priests (temple overseers) and scribes (experts in Mosaic Law).

These leaders embodied institutional Judaism's rejection, fulfilling prophecies like Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and Isaiah 53:3: “He was despised and forsaken of men.”

This scandalous handover was God's plan for atonement, leading to crucifixion.

Peter told Israel in Acts 2:23, “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death.”

Isaiah 53:6 says, “…Yahweh has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.”

God ordained it but you’re responsible for it!

The delivering over is for crucifixion.

Jesus said in Matthew 26:2, “…the Son of Man is to be delivered over for crucifixion.””

Jesus says further that the chief priests and scribes…

Condemned Him to Death and Delivered to the Gentiles (v.33b)

Before Jesus gives the details of His suffering, He says, “they will condemn Him to death.” (and)

They will deliver Him over to the Gentiles (v.33c)

The Jewish leaders' actions escalate from betrayal to formal condemnation (Greek: katakrinō, meaning to judge guilty and sentence to death).

Unable to execute under Roman law (John 18:31), they "deliver Him over" to the Gentiles (non-Jews, specifically Roman authorities like Pilate).

In Roman-occupied Judea, only the governor could authorize capital punishment.

This handover mirrors historical collaborations between Jewish leaders and Romans to maintain power.

III. Jesus Details His Suffering (v.34a)

This is the most detailed of the 3 predictions, specifically mentioning that…

He Would Be Mocked (v.34a)

“And they will mock Him.”

The sinless Son of God, in whom “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Col. 2:9), was mocked and mistreated and spat upon by those holding Him in custody during His Jewish trials (Luke 22:63), members of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:67–68), Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:11), and Pilate’s soldiers (Matt. 27:27–31).

The ridicule continued even while He was on the cross; “the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One’ ” (Luke 23:35).

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” (vv. 36–37).

Even one of those crucified alongside Him “was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ ” (v. 39).

The reviling and abuse that He had faced throughout His ministry (cf. John 9:28; 1 Peter 2:23) intensified at His death. (MacArthur).

The word “mocked” (empaizo, verb) is derived from the combination of ‘en’ (in) and ‘paizo’ (to play), suggesting a sense of playing with someone in a derisive manner.”

It occurs 8 times in the gospels referring to the mocking of Jesus.

Listen to a few of those times…

Mark 15:17–20 says, “17 And they dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; 18 and they began to greet Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him; and kneeling, they were bowing down before Him. 20 And after they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him.”

Luke 23:11 says, “And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a bright robe and sent Him back to Pilate.”

Luke 23:35–39 says, “35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were scoffing at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” 36 And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 39 And one of the criminals hanging there was blaspheming Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!””

He Would Be Spat Upon (v.34b)

“and spit on Him.”

This is ultimate humiliation!

Mark 14:65 says, “And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.”

Because Jesus was omniscient, He knew who beat Him.

Mark 15:19 says, “And they kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him; and kneeling, they were bowing down before Him.”

The “reed” was a thin, flexible stick or cane, often made from a plant like bamboo or a similar material.

The reed, symbolizing a scepter—a sign of authority and kingship—was used ironically to ridicule Him as "King of the Jews."

Thus, it served both as an instrument of torment and a tool of mockery.

He Would Be Scourged (v.34c)

“and flog Him.”

Jesus was beaten multiple times while in custody.

Then, shortly before His crucifixion, the Romans would brutally scourge Him with a whip with multiple thongs, at the end of which were tied pieces of glass, bone, rock, or metal.

So severe was the damage from scourging that many died from it (MacArthur).

It says in Mark 15:15, “And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him over to be crucified.”

He Would Be Killed (v.34d)

“and kill Him.”

Jesus would be executed in the most horrible cruel manner imaginable—crucifixion.

Frederic Farrar wrote, “For indeed a death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of horrible and ghastly—dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, tetanus, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of untended wounds—all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the sufferer the relief of unconsciousness. The unnatural position made every movement painful; the lacerated veins and crushed tendons throbbed with incessant anguish; the wounds, inflamed by exposure, gradually gangrened; the arteries—especially of the head and stomach—became swollen and oppressed with surcharged blood; and while each variety of misery went on gradually increasing, there was added to them the intolerable pang of a burning and raging thirst; and all these physical complications caused an internal excitement and anxiety which made the prospect of death itself—of death, the awful unknown enemy, at whose approach man usually shudders most—bear the aspect of a delicious and exquisite release. (“The Crucifixion A.D. 30,” in Rossiter Johnson, Charles F. Horne, and John Rudd, eds. The Great Events by Famous Historians [Project Gutenberg EBook, 2008], 3:47–48)

So intense was the Lord’s suffering that the New Testament frequently refers to them in the plural.

They are referred to as “the sufferings of Christ” in 2 Corinthians 1:5.

“Sufferings” in also stated in Philippians 3:10; Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter 1:11; 4:13; 5:1.

Isaiah 53 describes them in detail.

IV. Jesus Promises His Resurrection (v.34e)

“and three days later He will rise again.”

In the New Testament Gospels, our Lord Jesus Christ explicitly predicts His own death and resurrection on multiple occasions, demonstrating His divine foreknowledge and authority over life and death.

These predictions fulfill Old Testament Scriptures (e.g., Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10-11) and underscore the historicity of the bodily resurrection, central to evangelical soteriology (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The predictions cluster around the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) in the form of three primary "Passion Predictions," supplemented by parabolic or metaphorical statements, and unique declarations in John's Gospel.

No such direct predictions by Jesus appear in Acts, the Epistles, or Revelation.

There are at least 9 predictions given by Jesus of His resurrection:

The Sign of Jonah

Matthew 12:40 says, “for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

First Passion Prediction

Matthew 16:21 says, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”

Second Passion Prediction

Matthew 17:22–23 says, “22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved.”

Third Passion Prediction

Matthew 20:18–19 says, “18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.””

Prediction at the Last Supper

Matthew 26:32 says, “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.””

The Temple of His Body

John 2:19 says, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Good Shepherd’s Authority

John 10:17–18 says, “17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.””

Other Predictions:

Luke 13:32 says, “And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish.’

John 16:16 says, “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus was true to His mission.

Nothing would deter Him from the cross.

Philippians 2:8 says, “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus knew all things.

He was omniscient.

As such, He knew all the prophetic predictions about His suffering.

This is why He came.

All Scripture is about Him.

And to be forgiven of all your sin, you have to come to Him and surrender your life.

If you have never surrendered but only prayed a prayer, walked an aisle, or joined a church, then you don’t know Him.

I urge you to examine yourselves this morning and cry out for God’s mercy and grace.

That’s the only way you’re going to come to know Him.

Let’s pray.