Jesus’ culture had euphemisms just like our culture. One of these was the phrase, “lifted up.” We first read it in John 3:14. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” The term was the politically correct way to refer to crucifixion. We know this because of the people’s response to Jesus in John 13:34.
“The people answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”
Throughout Jesus’ ministry he proclaimed the manner of his death and the reason for it. They did not want to hear about death and suffering. They wanted power. They did not realize power would come through these two unlikely messengers.
