The Glorious Sovereign Purpose of God in the Suffering of Christ

The third passion prediction, like the previous two (Mark 8:31; 9:31), points to God’s sovereignty in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Messiah will suffer and die, but after suffering comes vindication. These events are no accident or catastrophe but were all along part of God’s purpose and plan. The additional details provided here, that Jesus will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked, spit on, and flogged, drive home the point that the path ahead has been mapped out by God, who is in control of the details.