And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
Comment: It must have been hard for the disciples to understand why a 33 year old man, in apparent good health, at the height of His teaching ministry, should be talking about death for the recorded third time. And this passage tells us that they did not understand.
Talking about being handed over to the gentiles in the same sentence as dying may well have meant to the disciples that he was talking about crucifixion. The Jews stoned people to death; crucifixion was the Roman way. Jesus lists the horrible cruel things associated with crucifixion, mocking, contempt, flogging, shameful treatment, but then shines a radiant light at the end of this – on the third day He will rise again.
I find it very interesting that this follows on the last two days talks about getting into heaven!
Prayer: I’m waiting expectantly to hear the end of Your story Jesus!
As I read it! 