For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

MARK 9:31KJV
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Mark 9:31 (KJV)

What does Mark 9:31 mean?

Mark 9:31 records Jesus teaching his disciples that he, referring to himself as the "Son of man," will be handed over to people who will kill him, but after being killed, he will rise again on the third day. This verse is a clear prediction by Jesus of his coming death and resurrection.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking privately to his closest followers, preparing them for what will soon happen to him in Jerusalem. The phrase "delivered into the hands of men" shows that his suffering and death will come through human actions, but the promise that he will "rise the third day" points to hope beyond his death. This is one of several times in Mark where Jesus tries to help his disciples understand the path he must take.

The Greek behind Mark 9:31

  • "Son of man" (υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, huios tou anthrōpou): This phrase is how Jesus often refers to himself, drawing on Old Testament imagery of a human figure with a special role from God. Here, it emphasizes both his humanity and his unique mission.
  • "Delivered" (παραδίδωμι, paradidōmi): The Greek word means to hand over or betray. It suggests that Jesus’ suffering will involve being given up by others, possibly hinting at betrayal by someone close.
  • "Rise" (ἀνίστημι, anistēmi): This verb means to stand up or rise again. In this context, it points directly to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, not just a metaphorical rising.
  • "Third day" (τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ, tritē hēmera): The phrase marks a specific time frame, showing that Jesus’ resurrection is not an open-ended hope but something he says will happen soon after his death.

Why Mark 9:31 matters

  • Mark 9:31 clears up that Jesus’ death was not an accident or a surprise, but something he knew about and willingly faced.
  • The verse highlights that Jesus’ suffering and resurrection are central to his mission, not just a tragic ending but part of a larger plan.
  • This prediction connects to the wider themes in Mark where the disciples often struggle to understand what Jesus means about suffering and rising again, showing how different God’s plan is from what they expected.

Where else these words appear

“third” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

“kill” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

“taught” Greek G1321 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
  • Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

“rise” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,