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Jesus was working His way down the Jordan River toward Jerusalem. He had opportunities to answer many questions and to teach about the possibilities of entering heaven. He now turns again to preparing the Disciples for what must certainly take place in the completion of His ministry here on earth. Later, in this section, He sets some standards for greatness. Recorded here in three of the Gospels, we will use the account found in Matthew.
We can divide this lesson into 2 parts:
"He took the 12 Disciples aside.." Why did He deem it necessary to take them aside and talk to them in secrecy? To understand this, we must understand people. To some, the knowledge that He would soon die, would completely turn them away. To some, like Peter, they might have tried to do something about it to keep it from happening and Jesus was never apart of anything that might have tried to do that. The other question, why did He tell the Disciples? Several reasons come to mind. They were His friends, those to whom He confided, those to whom He would turn over His ministry. Also, it was necessary that they be forewarned in order that they be prepared. Even so, we will see that they were not prepared and did not understand His death and resurrection until after the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Notice the facts of the prophecy. Twice before He had stated these facts. He would be delivered up to the Chief Priests. They would condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles to be crucified. The first time, in Ch. 16:21, when Jesus told them this, Peter said, "God forbid that this should happen to you." Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan, for you are a hindrance to me." The second time was in Ch. 17:22, where Jesus again told them these facts, and this time Peter did not say anything nor did any of the rest say anything, they simply were "greatly distressed". Here, for the third time, Jesus tells them what lied in store for Him. This time he gives them more details. He would suffer at the hands of the Chief Priests and Scribes, and be crucified by Gentiles. Christ died for both Jews and Gentiles, wasn't it right that both would have a part in His death.
He also, as before, mentions His resurrection. "The third day I shall rise again." This was the only part of this prophecy that brought any joy to Jesus. "He endured the cross for the joy set before Him." This also was to encourage the Disciples not to dwell upon His death but to think about His resurrection. It would also encourage them in the persecution that they would in time come to know for they to would partake in the resurrection.
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