Matthew 20:18

Up to Jerusalem. See on v. 17.

Son of man. See on Matt. 1:1; Mark 2:10.

Betrayed. This was the third of the attempts by Jesus to inform the Twelve concerning His sufferings and death that Matthew records (see Matt. 16:21; 17:22, 23; cf. Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34). Luke reports the same three occasions (see chs. 9:22, 44; 18:31-33), but also mentions three other instances not recorded by Matthew or Mark (see chs. 12:50; 13:33; 17:25). The latter three are incidental references to Christ’s suffering and death rather than occasions devoted primarily to this subject, and occur within the time of the Peraean ministry, which is recorded only by Luke (see on ch. 18:31).

Chief priests. See on ch. 2:4.

Scribes. See pp. 51, 55.

Condemn him to death. The Jews had been plotting to kill Jesus ever since the healing of the invalid man at the Pool of Bethesda two years previously, and had set spies to follow Him wherever He went (see on John 5:18; DA 213). The success of His Galilean mission had led them to intensify these efforts (see on Luke 5:17). Repeatedly thereafter they became more bold in their public attacks upon Him (see on Matt. 15:21; 16:1; Mark 7:1, 2). More recently, during the course of the Peraean ministry, they had made repeated attempts to arrest Him and to kill Him (see on Matt. 19:3). Their plans were now rapidly taking more definite shape, particularly since the resurrection of Lazarus a few weeks prior to this time.