From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Matthew 16:21 KJV
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Matthew 16:21 NASB
“From that time forth.” The Lord Jesus had just revealed the great truth of the Church which He was going to build. Was it the mention of the Church that evoked from Him the mention of what would be needed to procure that Church – His cross? There will be several revelations of the Lord Jesus in the next several chapters, all enlarging and giving more detail about the death He is about to die.
In the wilderness, Satan sought to deter Christ from the cross by an offer of the kingdom. The same suggestion is now put into the lips of a friend, as Peter tells Him (actually, rebukes Him) that it will not be. This is why the Lord Jesus says, “Get thee behind Me Satan.” Peter was allowing his tongue to do Satan’s work. The Lord was not turned aside by the subtlety of foes or the suggestions of friends. “His path uncheered by earthly smile, led only to the cross.”
Question to Consider
- Notice all the occasions on which the Lord revealed His coming sufferings to the disciples and how they responded. You will have to compare the four Gospel accounts to get a full picture.
- He would suffer “many things.” What are some of the things He suffered?
- While all was foreknown to the One Who was omniscient, yet there is some mysterious sense in which, as a Man, He experienced the grief of its impending enactment as He moved closer to Calvary. In His grief, He never enjoyed the fellowship of comfort from His own. They never understood. What was it that blinded their eyes?
