Matthew 20:17

Going up to Jerusalem. [Jesus Foretells His Death, Matt. 20:17-19=Mark 10:32-34=Luke 18:31-30. Major comment: Matthew.] Again and again the gospel writers speak of Jesus as being on His way to Jerusalem ever since He took His final departure from Galilee (see on Matt. 19:1,2; Luke 9:51). During these last months of His life on earth, Jesus had been in and out of Jerusalem and Judea a number of times, but devoted most of His ministry to Samaria and Peraea. It was now probably late March or early April of the year A.D. 31. Jesus arrived in Bethany on the Friday before the Passover (see John 12:1; DA 557).

It was doubtless along the way, prior to the arrival in Jericho, that the incidents of Matt. 20:17-28 took place. From the Jordan valley, which was at this point approximately 1,000 ft. below the level of the Mediterranean Sea, it was literally “up to Jerusalem,” more than 2,500 ft. above sea level (see on Mark 10:46; Luke 10:30). But it was not alone in a geographical sense that the Jews spoke of “going up to Jerusalem”; the expression also denotes Jerusalem as the center of the Jewish national life, the place to which they looked for leadership. Since it was but a short time before the beginning of the Passover season, all roads “up to Jerusalem” were no doubt thronged with pilgrims converging on the city to participate in the services connected with that important occasion.

Took the twelve. Jesus had been walking on ahead of the disciples, alone, and His demeanor filled them with awe and fear (see DA 547; see on Mark 10:32). The account in Mark is more detailed and graphic than that of Matthew.

Apart in the way. That is, apart from other wayfarers making their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and probably apart, also, from disciples other than the Twelve, who doubtless accompanied Jesus to Jerusalem. The instruction upon this occasion is for the inner circle of disciples only. But even the Twelve, after repeated instruction (see on Luke 18:31), have failed to grasp the fact that the Messiah must die for the sins of the world.