Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32, Luke 18:31-34
Jesus, along with His disciples and others on the pilgrimage, had come down from Galilee passing once again for a short time through Perea and is now on His way to the Passover in Jerusalem for the last time. He has been walking along talking to those who have followed and now at this point He pulls His disciples aside and continues to prepare them for the coming trials. This is the third time Jesus predicted His death and the disciples, who it says were astonished, could see that He was resolved to face death but could not completely grasp the implications of what He was telling them. The disciples needed to know what was about to happen since they were in peril too so Jesus is more specific than at any other time regarding His arrest and suffering. He will be delivered to the Chief Jewish leaders, condemned to die, beaten and crucified by the Gentile then raise from the dead three days later. This is the first time He mentions being crucified. This time Jesus adds His resurrection ending with a message of hope. The disciples couldn't understand why God's chosen vessel would have to suffer and die. This is the greatest mystery of the Kingdom. Jesus wasn't just setting the Jews free from Roman oppression He was setting all of mankind free from sin. After His resurrection they would come to understand though and as we step out in faith, believing in His sacrifice and resurrection, we understand too.
