Pearls of the Word

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The exodus of Jesus

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"And behold, there talked with Him two men, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His departure [exodos] which He should accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:30-31).

The Greek word exodos means departure, but also exit ; it is sometimes translated by decease (King James), that is to say the exit of life. Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus of His exodus which had to take place soon in Jerusalem. This would be the ultimate sign of the prophet Jonah that Jesus would give the unbelievers of His generation (Matthew 12:39-40).

But this exodus lasted only three days, so that His body would not have time to know corruption (Psalm 61:9). It was the time needed to take back from Satan the keys of death and of Sheol (Hades in Greek, Revelation 1:18). That is why Jesus could say to the apostle Peter that the gates – where the authority is exercised – of Hades will have no power against His church (Matthew 16:18).