Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

MARK 10:33KJV
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Mark 10:33 (KJV)

What does Mark 10:33 mean?

Mark 10:33 records Jesus telling His disciples that they are going up to Jerusalem, where He, as “the Son of man,” will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, condemned to death, and then delivered to the Gentiles. This verse is a clear prediction by Jesus of His coming arrest, trial, and suffering at the hands of both Jewish and non-Jewish authorities.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to His closest followers as they travel toward Jerusalem. He openly describes the events that will soon happen to Him, showing that His suffering is not a surprise but something He knows in advance. The verse highlights the involvement of both Jewish leaders (“chief priests and scribes”) and Gentile authorities, pointing to a wider rejection and the seriousness of what Jesus is about to face.

The Greek behind Mark 10:33

  • “Son of man” (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, huios tou anthrōpou): This phrase is how Jesus often refers to Himself, drawing on imagery from the Hebrew Scriptures and emphasizing both His humanity and a special role.
  • “Delivered” (παραδοθήσεται, paradothēsetai): The Greek word means to be handed over or betrayed, suggesting a deliberate act by others, not just a passive event.
  • “Chief priests” (ἀρχιερεῦσιν, archiereusin) and “scribes” (γραμματεῦσιν, grammateusin): These terms point to the main religious authorities in Jerusalem, underlining that the opposition comes from the highest levels.
  • “Gentiles” (ἔθνεσιν, ethnesin): This word means non-Jews, showing that Jesus’s suffering will involve both Jewish and Roman (Gentile) powers.

Why Mark 10:33 matters

  • Mark 10:33 makes clear that Jesus’s suffering and death are not accidents but part of a plan He knows about, which can correct the idea that these events took Him by surprise.
  • The verse highlights the shared responsibility of both Jewish and Gentile leaders in Jesus’s condemnation, which is important for understanding the broader context of His death.
  • This prediction sets the stage for the events of the Passion and helps the reader see that Jesus is willingly moving toward what will happen in Jerusalem, not being forced or tricked into it.

Where else these words appear

“condemn” Greek G2632 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
  • Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
  • Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

“Jerusalem” Greek G2414 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
  • Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

“scribes” Greek G1122 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
  • Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

“up” Greek G305 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • John 2:13 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
  • Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.