Luke 17:25 – “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus tells His disciples that before He comes again in glory, He must first suffer and be rejected. He is speaking about His upcoming crucifixion, where He will endure rejection, humiliation, and death at the hands of the very people He came to save. This suffering is not an accident or a failure of His mission—it is a necessary part of God’s plan for salvation.
Jesus is reminding His disciples that the path to glory involves suffering. Before He can return as the conquering King, He must fulfill His role as the suffering Servant, bearing the weight of humanity’s sins on the cross. His rejection by “this generation” refers to the widespread opposition He faced, especially from the religious leaders who refused to recognize Him as the Messiah.
This verse is crucial for understanding the two stages of Jesus’ mission: His first coming, where He suffers and dies to bring salvation, and His second coming, where He will return in glory to judge and restore all things.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish society, many people were expecting a political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and restore the nation’s independence. The idea of a suffering Messiah was difficult for them to accept. This is why Jesus faced so much opposition, especially from the religious leaders who were expecting a victorious, kingly figure.
The prophecy of the suffering servant, found in Isaiah 53, predicted that the Messiah would be rejected and suffer for the sins of others. However, this concept was often overlooked or misunderstood by those who focused only on the Messianic prophecies about victory and glory. Jesus’ statement in Luke 17:25 is a clear reminder that His suffering was always part of God’s plan.
Jesus’ rejection by “this generation” is also significant because it highlights the hardness of heart that characterized many of the people during His ministry. Despite His miracles, teachings, and acts of compassion, many rejected Him because He didn’t fit their expectations.
Theological Implications
This verse carries deep theological meaning because it explains why Jesus had to suffer before His return in glory. His suffering wasn’t just a result of human rejection—it was God’s plan for dealing with sin. Through His death on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for sin, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe in Him (Isaiah 53:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Theologically, this verse also points to the nature of Christian discipleship. Just as Jesus’ path to glory involved suffering, believers are called to take up their own crosses and follow Him (Luke 9:23). The Christian life often includes trials and rejection, but just as Jesus’ suffering led to victory, believers can trust that their suffering will be redeemed through God’s plan.
Furthermore, this verse highlights God’s patience and grace. Jesus could have immediately established His kingdom and brought judgment, but He first chose to suffer so that people could be saved. His suffering demonstrates God’s desire for people to repent and come to Him in faith.
Literary Analysis
The structure of this verse places it between Jesus’ description of His glorious return (Luke 17:24) and His warnings about judgment (Luke 17:26-30). This positioning emphasizes the contrast between the suffering of Jesus’ first coming and the glory of His second coming. The word “but” introduces this shift, reminding readers that the path to glory is not without hardship.
The phrase “suffer many things” is intentionally broad, capturing the full range of Jesus’ suffering: physical pain, emotional anguish, spiritual burden, and rejection. Luke’s choice to highlight the word “first” emphasizes the necessity of this suffering—before the glory of His return, the cross had to come first.
The phrase “this generation” not only refers to the people who rejected Jesus during His earthly ministry but also serves as a warning to all generations who would reject Him in the future. The rejection of Jesus is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, showing that many people resist God’s offer of grace.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.”
- Luke 9:22 – “And He said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.'”
- Matthew 16:21 – “From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 – “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder that suffering is part of the Christian life. Just as Jesus endured rejection and pain to fulfill God’s plan, Christians are called to face trials with faith, knowing that God can use their struggles for His purposes. The path to glory often involves hardship, but believers can trust that their suffering is not meaningless.
This verse also encourages Christians to focus on the hope of Jesus’ return. While the world may reject them now, just as it rejected Jesus, they can look forward to the day when He returns in glory and sets everything right. In the meantime, they are called to follow His example of patience, perseverance, and faithfulness.
Additionally, this verse challenges believers to respond to rejection and opposition with grace, just as Jesus did. Instead of retaliating or becoming bitter, Christians can trust that God’s plan will prevail, even when they face challenges.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is revealed in the fact that He sent His Son to suffer and be rejected for the sake of humanity’s salvation. Jesus didn’t have to endure the cross—He chose to do so out of love for a lost and broken world (John 3:16). His suffering demonstrates the depth of God’s love, as He was willing to bear the penalty for sin so that people could be forgiven and reconciled to Him.
This verse also shows God’s love in His patience. Instead of bringing immediate judgment, God allowed time for repentance and salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice. His willingness to endure rejection reflects His desire for as many people as possible to come to faith and experience His grace.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse is directly tied to Jesus’ mission as the suffering Servant and the Savior of the world. His suffering was not a tragic mistake but a necessary step in God’s plan to redeem humanity. Jesus’ rejection by “this generation” foreshadows the rejection He continues to face today, but it also points to His ultimate victory.
Through His suffering, Jesus accomplished what no one else could: the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of a broken relationship between humanity and God (1 Peter 2:24). His rejection and death paved the way for His resurrection and future return, when He will reign as King forever.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does understanding the necessity of Jesus’ suffering deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?
- Have you experienced rejection or hardship because of your faith? How does this verse encourage you to persevere?
- How can you follow Jesus’ example of responding to suffering with faith and grace?
- What does this verse teach you about God’s plan for redemption and His patience with humanity?
- How does the hope of Jesus’ return help you endure challenges in your life today?
This verse reminds believers that Jesus’ suffering was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of God’s love and power. His rejection and death were necessary for the salvation of the world, and His example encourages us to trust God’s plan, even when we face trials. Just as Jesus’ suffering led to glory, believers can have confidence that their struggles will be redeemed in God’s perfect timing.