April 17th
In our NT reading for today, Jesus predicts his death to the apostles for the third time:
Luke 18:31-34
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
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. (ESV)
Even though Jesus has said this to the disciples before, they still do not comprehend the fact that Jesus is going to die in Jerusalem. Their idea of what constitutes a Messiah contradicts the reality of what Jesus is going to suffer. It is not a matter of not understanding Jesus statement, but they couldn't mentally process it or accept it in their minds.
The ESV Study Bible says of this:
Luke 18:34 But they (the Twelve) understood none of these things. Although they understood the meaning of Jesus’ words, they could not understand why Jesus was predicting this or how it could possibly fit into God’s plans for the Messiah. The fact that the Messiah must first suffer and die was still hidden from them.
The Expositor's Commentary (Abridged) New Testament clarifies further:
32-34 In this prediction, Jesus for the first time mentions the Gentiles as his executors. Luke attributes the ignorance of the disciples (a theme much emphasized by Mark) to what is apparently a supernatural withholding of understanding (v.34; 24:16).
By the power of the Holy Spirit,the apostles will remember what Jesus told them after his resurrection and they will effectively retroactively understand what Jesus told them.
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Prayer for Today:
Lord, I stand humbled by the lives of martyrs. Their love for you inspires me to give myself wholly to you and commit myself to a life of obedience. Speak to me now and may I act swiftly when I hear your voice. Amen.
In our NT reading for today, Jesus predicts his death to the apostles for the third time:
Luke 18:31-34
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
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. (ESV)
Even though Jesus has said this to the disciples before, they still do not comprehend the fact that Jesus is going to die in Jerusalem. Their idea of what constitutes a Messiah contradicts the reality of what Jesus is going to suffer. It is not a matter of not understanding Jesus statement, but they couldn't mentally process it or accept it in their minds.
The ESV Study Bible says of this:
Luke 18:34 But they (the Twelve) understood none of these things. Although they understood the meaning of Jesus’ words, they could not understand why Jesus was predicting this or how it could possibly fit into God’s plans for the Messiah. The fact that the Messiah must first suffer and die was still hidden from them.
The Expositor's Commentary (Abridged) New Testament clarifies further:
32-34 In this prediction, Jesus for the first time mentions the Gentiles as his executors. Luke attributes the ignorance of the disciples (a theme much emphasized by Mark) to what is apparently a supernatural withholding of understanding (v.34; 24:16).
By the power of the Holy Spirit,the apostles will remember what Jesus told them after his resurrection and they will effectively retroactively understand what Jesus told them.
Maranatha! IC -|- XC
Prayer for Today:
Lord, I stand humbled by the lives of martyrs. Their love for you inspires me to give myself wholly to you and commit myself to a life of obedience. Speak to me now and may I act swiftly when I hear your voice. Amen.
