must suffer many things: This was the first prophecy of Jesus about his coming death in Jerusalem (see 9:44; 17:25; 18:31–34). Jesus would fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 52:13–53:12. These prophecies describe the Lord's servant (the Messiah) who offers himself to save God's people. These events were part of God's purpose and plan.
Despite opposition from human beings and from the spiritual forces of Satan, God works through the actions of human beings to accomplish his purposes. Though wicked men plotted against Jesus and put him to death, God accomplished salvation by raising Jesus from the dead (Luke 24:7, 26–27, 44–47; Acts 2:23–24; 3:18; 4:28).
chief priests: Though Israel had only one high priest, the upper-class priests were the wealthy ruling class. They served on the Sanhedrin (the main Jewish council) and held positions of power in Jerusalem.