Jesus Predicts His Death Again – A Matthew Bible Lesson

Have you ever read a Bible passage and felt like you were missing something important? You’re not alone. Here, we look at a moment when Jesus clearly explains what will happen to Him—yet His closest followers still struggle to understand. Matthew 17 reminds us why patience, faith, and trust in God’s plan matter so much.

Many times before Easter Sunday, Jesus spoke openly with the disciples about His coming death and His resurrection on the third day. Still, they did not fully understand. In fact, they were deeply saddened and frightened by the idea of Jesus leaving them.

Jesus knew that opposition was growing. He knew that people would plot against Him. Yet, He continued forward, fully committed to God’s plan.

Why? The answer is simple and life-changing: to save us.

Resurrection Revealed – Jesus Predicts His Death Again

While traveling through Galilee, Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples about what was coming next.

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.”

— Matthew 17:22–23

This moment is significant because it shows that Jesus predicts His resurrection just as clearly as He predicts His suffering. Yet, the disciples focus only on the pain and loss.

For the Second Time, Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

The phrase “He will be raised on the third day” should have brought hope. Instead, the disciples were overwhelmed with grief. Do you ever read Scripture and feel frustrated because you don’t fully grasp what God is saying? Sure, we all do.

How can we comprehend more about God’s Word?

Sunday school classes, sermons, and Bible study groups can help clear up confusion. Even so, no one understands every word of Scripture perfectly—except God Himself.

* Be cautious of anyone who claims they understand everything about God. They don’t.

The Resurrection of Christ Explained

This reading marks the second time Jesus predicts His death and His resurrection. Once again, His followers hear only the worst part:

“They will kill Him…” — Matthew 17:23

They cannot yet grasp the victory that follows the cross. At this point, they only know that their teacher and leader is facing death.

The disciples had spent a great deal of time with Jesus. They had witnessed miracles, heard His teaching, and seen God’s power on display. Still, they did not fully understand His purpose—until the Day of Pentecost, described in Acts chapter 2.

Only then did everything begin to make sense. The Holy Spirit opened their hearts and minds to understand both their mission and Christ’s sacrifice.

How Many Times Did Jesus Predict His Resurrection?

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus predicts His death and resurrection several times. In Matthew alone, He speaks of it repeatedly to prepare His followers for what lies ahead.

Each time, the message is the same: suffering will come, but resurrection will follow. This pattern points directly to God’s redemptive plan and reminds us that death is never the final word.

For deeper insight into Christ’s glory and purpose, you may want to read about the Transfiguration of Christ, which also reveals who Jesus truly is.

All We Really Need to Know

When we feel confused during Bible reading, we don’t need to feel discouraged. As we see above, even the disciples struggled to understand.

At its core, the message of salvation is beautifully simple.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

If we believe and accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we are saved from eternal death. That truth alone changes everything.

“Be in the Word” – Randy Hatcher

Regular Bible study and prayer help us stay connected to God. Make reading Scripture a habit, even when some passages feel difficult.

You may not understand everything—but you will almost always find a lesson that speaks directly to something you or someone you love is facing. Never underestimate the power of God’s Word.

To find more lessons like this one, visit the homepage at Making Christ Known, or watch insights from Amir Tsarfati on the return of Jesus.

Love in Christ,
— Bob

If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 here for more information.

*Verses from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).