What Jesus Did! 'To Jerusalem' — Matthew 20:17-19

Saturday, September 20, 2025

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. "Listen," he said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead."
— Matthew 20:17-19 NLT

Key Thought

Sometimes it takes us multiple times to get it. All throughout this section of his ministry, Jesus gives indications about his death in Jerusalem; this is the fourth prediction he makes to his twelve key followers. He tells them this about his death privately because the focus of his ministry toward the end of his life was with the disciples.

Jesus' words are chillingly accurate. Jesus' words are about horrible and ugly events. Jesus' words are his destiny, God's will for his life and death. But most of all, Jesus' words are about us and God's great redemptive love for us.

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous King of Glory, thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus. His death was horrible. His knowledge of its coming was undoubtedly an added horror. Thank you Jesus for laying down your life for us, for me. You are worthy of all thanks and praise for enduring the cross and all it means so that I could be saved. Thank you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 20:17-19
Devo: Today's Verse
"Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed...."
Third Day
Illustration of Matthew 20:19
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 20:19 -- On the third day he will be raised to life!

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 20:17-19 NLT — "Listen,"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, September 20, 2025

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 96:5
"For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Removing the Stain of Betrayal' (Acts 1:15-19)
"[While the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus instructed], when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Samuel 7:25
"God's promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; he intended that they should be used. God's gold is not miser's money, but is..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'New Birth and New Life' (Ti. 3:4-7)
"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!