Jesus Predicts His Death (Luke 9:21–27)
Introduction to Luke 9:21-27
In Luke 9:21–27, Jesus begins to reveal the true nature of his mission to his disciples. After Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus speaks openly for the first time about the suffering and death He must endure. He shifts the focus from political expectations of a triumphant Messiah to the reality of a suffering Savior. The cost of discipleship is high, and in this passage, Jesus challenges his followers to consider what it truly means to follow him. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the Gospel narrative as Jesus’ followers are invited to embrace not just his identity as the Christ, but his mission—which involves suffering, rejection, and ultimately death. Yet, through this suffering, there is the promise of resurrection, eternal life, and the kingdom of God. The call to follow Jesus is a call to die to self, and only by taking up one’s cross can true life be found. This passage also challenges us today to reconsider our understanding of following Jesus—it’s not about prosperity or comfort, but about sacrifice and participation in the mission of God.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 9:21–27 and Commentary
Luke 9:21–22 – The Revelation of Jesus’ Mission
“He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’”
After Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus instructs his disciples to keep this knowledge secret. It might seem strange that Jesus, who is the Messiah, would want to suppress this truth, but his reasoning becomes clear. At this point, Jesus did not want the crowds or the disciples to misunderstand his mission. The title “Messiah” was often linked to a political deliverer, someone who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel’s power. But Jesus had a radically different mission in mind, one that involved suffering, rejection by religious leaders, and an agonizing death. Jesus’ silence about his identity is a strategic move to avoid the crowds making him the kind of Messiah they expected. The full scope of his mission—the necessity of his death and resurrection—is only revealed to his closest disciples.
By mentioning his death and resurrection, Jesus emphasizes that his role as Messiah is not about earthly power or glory. Instead, his suffering and death are the means through which salvation will come to the world. This paradoxical announcement of the Messiah’s suffering shows that Jesus’ mission is not about conquering others through military might but about conquering sin and death through sacrificial love. As Jesus introduces this idea of suffering, He challenges his disciples—and us—to rethink what it means to follow him.
Luke 9:23 – The Call to Take Up the Cross
“Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”
Jesus moves from talking about his own suffering to calling his followers to embrace their own path of suffering. This verse is one of the most challenging in the Gospels, as it demands that his disciples deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. To take up one’s cross was a vivid image for Jesus’ audience. The cross was a symbol of Roman execution, a brutal and humiliating form of death reserved for the worst criminals. When Jesus tells his disciples to take up their cross, He is not asking them to carry a physical cross like he did, but to willingly embrace the hardships, sacrifices, and even the possibility of death that come with following him.
The call to self-denial is central to this passage. Jesus is inviting his disciples to put aside their personal ambitions, comforts, and even safety for the sake of the kingdom of God. This doesn’t mean that Christians must seek suffering for its own sake, but it does mean that following Jesus involves a willingness to suffer when necessary for his sake. To be a disciple is to join in the mission of Jesus, and his mission was one of sacrifice, humility, and service. The daily aspect of taking up the cross emphasizes that discipleship is not a one-time decision but a continuous commitment to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
Luke 9:24 – Losing Life to Save It
“For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
In this verse, Jesus offers a radical reversal of worldly wisdom. The world tells us to protect and preserve our lives at all costs, to seek personal success and comfort. But Jesus flips this logic, saying that those who try to save their lives by seeking self-preservation will ultimately lose them. True life is not found in selfishness or self-interest but in self-sacrifice. Jesus teaches that losing one’s life for his sake—giving up personal desires, ambitions, and even security—results in eternal life.
This paradox is at the core of Christian discipleship. The world’s understanding of life is focused on accumulating wealth, power, and status, but Jesus shows that true life is found in following him, even if it leads to suffering or loss. This is a call to radically reorient one’s priorities. Jesus is not only calling his followers to suffer; He is showing them that, through that suffering, they will experience the fullness of life—life that is eternal and unshakable. To lose one’s life for Jesus’ sake is to find the life that God intended for us, a life of purpose, freedom, and relationship with the Creator.
Luke 9:25 – The Futility of Gaining the World
“What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?”
In this verse, Jesus warns against the futility of worldly success. What good is it to gain everything the world has to offer—wealth, fame, power—if in the process, one loses their soul? Jesus challenges his followers to consider what truly matters. The pursuit of worldly gain can distract us from our ultimate purpose, which is to know God and to live in relationship with him. The things the world values—possessions, achievements, status—are temporary and fleeting. They cannot provide the lasting peace and fulfillment that come from living according to God’s will.
This verse serves as a stark reminder that there is more to life than the pursuit of material success. Jesus is not saying that wealth and success are inherently bad, but He is warning that they should never become idols. When we place our value in the things of this world, we risk losing the most important thing: our relationship with God. The world’s values stand in stark contrast to the values of the kingdom of God, where humility, service, and sacrifice are prioritized over wealth, power, and self-interest.
Luke 9:26 – The Shame of Denying Jesus
“Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of publicly identifying with him. In a world where following Jesus may bring shame, rejection, or persecution, it can be tempting to distance oneself from him. But Jesus warns that those who are ashamed of him will face rejection when He returns in glory. The second coming of Jesus will be a time of judgment, and those who have denied him will experience shame. Jesus’ words challenge his followers to stand firm in their faith and not to be ashamed of his message, even when it is unpopular or brings hardship.
This verse also points forward to the ultimate revelation of God’s kingdom. When Jesus returns, He will do so in glory, accompanied by the Father and the holy angels. In that moment, all will be made clear, and those who have faithfully followed him will be honored. But those who have chosen to deny him will experience the consequences of their decision. This serves as a stark reminder that following Jesus is not a private matter but a public one, requiring courage and commitment in a world that often rejects him.
Luke 9:27 – The Promise of the Kingdom
“But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
In this final verse of the passage, Jesus offers a promise of hope. He tells his disciples that some of them will not die before they see the kingdom of God. This statement is often interpreted as referring to the Transfiguration, which occurs shortly after this passage, where Peter, James, and John witness Jesus in his glorified state. It also serves as a reminder that God’s kingdom is not a distant reality but something that is already breaking into the present world. Jesus is giving his disciples a glimpse of what is to come—a kingdom of glory, where God reigns and all things are made new.
This promise is not just about the future but also about the present. The kingdom of God is already at work in the world, and those who follow Jesus are participants in that kingdom. The promise of seeing the kingdom of God is an encouragement to all who are willing to follow Jesus, even when it involves suffering and sacrifice. It is a reminder that the cost of discipleship is worth it because the glory of God’s kingdom is beyond anything this world can offer.
Meaning for Today
This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the true cost of following Jesus. Discipleship is not about earthly success or comfort but about sacrificial living. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. This path is not easy, but it is the path that leads to eternal life. Jesus’ mission was one of suffering, and He calls his followers to participate in that mission, even if it means hardship, rejection, or loss. Yet, through that sacrifice, there is the promise of life—life that is eternal and abundant. Jesus invites us to consider what is truly valuable in life and to choose the kingdom of God over the fleeting pleasures of this world. By taking up our cross daily, we become participants in the mission of God and experience the joy and peace that only He can give.
FAQ
1. Why did Jesus tell his disciples not to share that He was the Messiah?
Jesus did not want his identity as the Messiah to be misunderstood. At that time, many people expected a political or military deliverer. Jesus’ mission was different, and He needed time to teach his disciples about the true nature of his coming death and resurrection.
2. What does it mean to take up our cross?
Taking up the cross means embracing the challenges, sacrifices, and sufferings that come with following Jesus. It involves putting aside our personal desires and priorities to follow Jesus’ example of humility, service, and obedience.
3. How can we lose our life for Jesus?
To lose our life for Jesus means to prioritize him above everything else. It’s about choosing to follow his will, even when it requires personal sacrifice, and to live in a way that reflects his values rather than the world’s.
4. Why is gaining the world not enough?
Gaining the world’s wealth, power, or success may seem attractive, but these things are temporary. True life is found in knowing God and living according to his will. The pursuit of worldly success can distract us from the eternal joy found in the kingdom of God.
5. What is the significance of the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God represents God’s rule and reign, which is already breaking into the world through Jesus. It is a future hope and present reality, where God’s justice, peace, and love will prevail.
