Mat 16:21, 17:23, Mar 8:31, Luk 9:22, Joh 2:22 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 21-23. See also . From that time forth . This was the first intimation that he gave that he was to die in this cruel manner. He had taken much pains to convince them that he was the Messiah; he saw by the confession of Peter that they were convinced; and he then began to prepare theft minds for the awful event which was before him. Had he declared this when he first called them, they would never have followed him. Their minds were not prepared for it. They expected a temporal, triumphant prince, as the Messiah. He first , therefore, convinced them that he was the Christ; and then, with great prudence, began to correct their apprehensions of the proper character of the Messiah. Elders . The men of the great council, or sanhedrim. . Chief Priests and Scribes . . (w) "From that time"

Matthew 16:21

Verses 21-23. See also Mk 7:31-33, Lk 9:22. From that time forth. This was the first intimation that he gave that he was to die in this cruel manner. He had taken much pains to convince them that he was the Messiah; he saw by the confession of Peter that they were convinced; and he then began to prepare theft minds for the awful event which was before him. Had he declared this when he first called them, they would never have followed him. Their minds were not prepared for it. They expected a temporal, triumphant prince, as the Messiah. He first, therefore, convinced them that he was the Christ; and then, with great prudence, began to correct their apprehensions of the proper character of the Messiah.

Elders. The men of the great council, or sanhedrim. Mt 5:7.

Chief Priests and Scribes. Mt 3:7.

(w) "From that time" Lk 9:22, 18:31, 24:6,7, 1Cor 15:3,4

Matthew 17:23

Verse 23. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again, See Mt 12:40. Mark and Luke add, that they understood not that saying, and it was hid from them, and they were afraid to ask him. The reasons of this may have been:

(1.) They were strongly attached to him, and were exceedingly sorry (Matthew) at any intimation that the was soon to leave them. They learned with great slowness and reluctance, therefore, that he was to be treated in this manner.

(2.) They were not willing to believe it. They knew he was the Messiah. But they supposed that he was to be a distinguished Prince, and was to restore the kingdom to Israel, Acts 1:6. But to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies, and be put to death, appeared to them to be frustrating all these expectations.

(3.) Though what he said was plain enough, yet they did not understand it; they could not see how he could be the Messiah, and yet be put to death in this manner. Nor did they understand it fully till after the resurrection.

Mark 8:31

Luke 9:22

Verse 22.

(r) "The Son of man" Mt 16:21, 17:22

John 2:22

Verse 22. When he was risen from the dead, &c. This saying of our Saviour at that time seemed obscure and difficult. The disciples did not understand it, but they treasured it up in their memory, and the event showed what was its true meaning. Many prophecies are obscure when spoken which are perfectly plain when the event takes place. We learn from this, also, the importance of treasuring up the truths of the Bible now, though we may not perfectly understand them. Hereafter they may be plain to us. It is therefore important that children should learn the truths of the sacred Scriptures. Treasured up in their memory, they may not be understood now, but hereafter they may be clear to them. Every one engaged in teaching a Sunday-school, therefore, may be imparting instruction which may be understood, and may impart comfort, long after the teacher has gone to eternity.

They believed. That is, after he rose from the dead.

The scripture. The Old Testament, which predicted his resurrection. Reference here must be made to Ps 16:10, comp. Acts 2:27-32, Acts 13:35-37, Ps 2:7, comp. Acts 13:33. They understood those Scriptures in a sense different from what they did before.

The word which Jesus had said. The prediction which he had made respecting his resurrection in this place and on other occasions. See Mt 20:19, Lk 18:32,33.

(s) "his disciples" Lk 24:8