Matthew 16:21

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 16:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
Matthew 16:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, etc.] From the time that Peter made the confession concerning Jesus, as that he was the Messiah, and Son of God, and which things were clear to all the apostles, he began to teach them more expressly, and to point out to them more clearly, and plainly, his sufferings and death, than he had done before: and this he chose to do now, partly because that their faith in him was well grounded and established, so that they were the better able to bear these things he told them, which before might have been more staggering and discouraging to them; and partly, that being forewarned of them, they would not be so shocking when they came to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples--that is, with an explicitness and frequency He had never observed before. how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things--"and be rejected," (Mar 8:31; Luk 9:22). of the elders and chief priests and scribes--not as before, merely by not receiving Him, but by formal deeds. and be killed, and be raised again the third day--Mark (Mar 8:32) adds, that "He spake that saying openly"--"explicitly," or "without disguise."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Mark 7:31-33; Luke 9:22. “From that time forth.” This was the first intimation that he gave that he was to die in this cruel manner. He had taken much pains to convince them that he was the Messiah; he saw by the confession of Peter that they were convinced, and he then began to prepare their minds for the awful event which was before him. Had he declared this when he first called them they would never have followed him. Their minds Were not prepared for it. They expected a temporal, triumphant prince as the Messiah. He first, therefore, convinced them that he was the Christ, and then, with great prudence, began to correct their apprehensions of the proper character of the Messiah.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“From that time Jesus began to tell his disciples, that he must suffer many things - Perhaps this expression, began, always implied his entering on a set and solemn discourse. Hitherto he had mainly taught them only one point, That he was the Christ. From this time he taught them another, That Christ must through sufferings and death enter into his glory. From the elders - The most honourable and experienced men; the chief priests - Accounted the most religious; and the scribes - The most learned body of men in the nation. Would not one have expected, that these should have been the very first to receive him? But not many wise, not many noble were called. Favour thyself - The advice of the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:21-28 Jesus, now officially recognized by his disciples as the Messiah, begins to reveal a startling aspect of his mission: He must suffer before entering his glory (16:21-23), and those who follow him will meet a similar fate (16:24-28). 16:21 This is the first of three predictions of Jesus’ passion—his suffering through betrayal, crucifixion, and death (see also 17:22-23; 20:18-19). Each prediction gives a lesson on the cost of discipleship (16:24-27; 20:20-28). • That he would suffer was God’s sovereign and necessary purpose for the Messiah (see 17:12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“began: Mat 17:22, Mat 17:23, Mat 20:17-19, Mat 20:28, Mat 26:2; Mar 8:31, Mar 9:31, Mar 9:32, Mar 10:32-34; Luk 9:22, Luk 9:31, Luk 9:44, Luk 9:45, Luk 18:31-34, Luk 24:6, Luk 24:7, Luk 24:26, Luk 24:27, Luk 24:46; Co1 15:3, Co1 15:4 chief priests: Mat 26:47, Mat 27:12; 1Chr. 24:1-19; Neh 12:7 and be: Mat 27:63; Joh 2:19-21; Act 2:23-32 Matthew 16:22”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification