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Explanation for:
Matthew
20
:
17
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart, and said to them:
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Although a great crowd of followers accompanied Him along the path, He chose to call back only twelve disciples, revealing to them alone the mystery of His impending death, for the most invaluable truths are often entrusted to the most exquisite vessels. Many men were present with Him, yet their faith was fragile. Numerous women, although firm in their belief, faced challenges due to their human nature. Had they known that Christ was heading to Jerusalem to embrace death, the men might have been troubled by their wavering faith, while the women could have been overwhelmed by their inherent sensitivity. A woman’s spirit is naturally marked by tenderness, and in such dire circumstances, it is common for her to weep. Consider how Peter himself reacted upon hearing of Christ’s death; he was distressed and dared to admonish the Lord, saying, “Be merciful to Thyself, O Lord, that it be not so with Thee” (Matthew 16:22). If Peter, the steadfast disciple, was so shaken by the announcement of Christ's suffering, who among us possesses the strength of faith to endure such profound sorrow? If the unyielding rock was nearly moved, how can the earth withstand the fury of the storm?"},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Desiring to avoid this suffering, the disciples found it easy to forget about it. Consequently, Christ frequently reminded them, intending to shape their thoughts and ease their grief. His private discussions with them were not without purpose. There was no need to spread these thoughts broadly among the crowds or to speak openly, as nothing beneficial would arise from that. If the disciples were disturbed by the impending sufferings, the general populace would likely react even more vehemently. However, one might ask whether such matters were not made known to the people. They were indeed revealed, albeit not in a straightforward manner. He stated to them, \\"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up\\" (John 2:19); or again, \\"This generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah\\" (Matthew 12:39); and also, \\"A little while longer I am with you, and then I go to Him who sent Me; you will seek Me and not find Me\\" (John 7:33-34). Yet, His words to the disciples were delivered with greater clarity. Why did the Lord articulate these matters if the people did not grasp the significance of His declarations? It was so that they might recognize afterward that Jesus Christ anticipated His passion and embraced it willingly, rather than being taken unawares or against His desires. He foretold the suffering not only for this reason but also to fortify them with hope, so that the unexpected nature of His passion would not plunge them into deep despair. Thus, He initially informed them only of His death; and upon their consideration of this and their self-preparation, He revealed the additional details, such as being betrayed to the Gentiles and facing scorn and beatings, so that, witnessing the fulfillment of these sorrowful prophecies, they might hope for the resurrection. If Christ did not withhold the sad and seemingly dishonorable aspects of His suffering, it was reasonable to trust Him regarding the promises of glory. Observe how wisely He timed this instruction. He did not disclose His suffering from the outset to avoid overwhelming them, nor did He do so at the moment of the events for fear of being distressed. Instead, when they had already witnessed His mighty works and received grand promises of eternal life, He spoke often, amidst miracles and teachings, about the reality of suffering. One Gospel writer indicates that He referred to the prophets as testimonies; another mentions that the disciples failed to comprehend His words, stating, \\"But this saying was hidden from them\\" (Luke 18:34), and that they followed Him in fear. Therefore, one might argue that these predictions served no purpose; if the disciples did not understand what they heard, they could not prepare for it, and lacking expectation, they couldn’t find hope. However, I would offer another, even more challenging question: if they did not grasp His words, why did they grieve? Another Gospel says they mourned. Thus, if understanding eluded them, how could they mourn? As Peter expressed, \\"Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You\\" (Matthew 16:22). How should we resolve this? Although they lacked a complete understanding of the mystery of the building of the house, they were aware He was destined to die, which led to their sorrow. They had witnessed others being raised, but had never seen someone raise themselves to eternal life. This miracle was beyond their comprehension, even though He had spoken of it repeatedly. Furthermore, they did not fully understand death itself—what it entailed and how it would occur—which contributed to their fear as they followed Him. It wasn’t solely this uncertainty that frightened them; it seems that the Lord’s discussions of suffering also instilled fear. However, despite frequently hearing of His resurrection, none of this inspired them to courage. Beyond His death, they particularly feared that He would be scorned, beaten, and so forth. As they envisioned His miracles, such as healing the afflicted and raising the dead, and then encountered these predictions, they were bewildered and astonished, questioning, \\"Could He who performed such wonders truly endure these torments?\\" Thus, they found themselves in a state of confusion, both believing and doubting His words, unable to fully grasp their meaning."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"As He approached His impending suffering, He made further forecasts to His disciples regarding His fate, aiming to ease their deep anguish through these repeated announcements. He communicated these revelations to them in a confidential manner, as it was not meant for the wider audience to hear, to avoid leading them into temptation. If the disciples found themselves distressed by these words, the general populace would undoubtedly experience even greater turmoil."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The sons of Zebedee believed that if the Lord ascended to Jerusalem, He would become the ruler of the world, having frequently heard Him express the desire, “Let us go up to Jerusalem.” Consequently, they entertained a worldly notion and sent their mother to Him, feeling reluctant to approach Him directly. However, as recorded in Mark, they came to Him subtly, with the account stating, “James and John approached Him,” indicating that they did so quietly and without drawing attention."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As He ascended towards Jerusalem, specifically drawing near to the city, it is likely that He traveled along the road near Jericho (cf. Matt. 20:29). He took only the twelve disciples aside; typically, as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the major feasts, there were numerous travelers. Jesus, revered as a powerful miracle worker and teacher, likely had many followers with Him. However, the Lord chose not to disclose to the crowds what He intended to share once again with His closest disciples (cf. Matt. 16:21, Matt. 17:22). Thus, He separated His disciples from the throngs of people. He engaged them in private discussions regarding these matters, and there was good reason for this approach. There was no benefit in proclaiming these truths publicly, as it would yield no positive outcomes. If the disciples were troubled by such revelations, it would have caused even greater discontent among the general populace (Zlat.). “Hence, it was prudent not to discuss this with the crowds to avoid leading them into temptation” (Euph. Sig.)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the moment of His suffering approached, the Lord frequently reminded His disciples of this impending trial, gradually preparing them for the significant challenge to their faith. During the month of Nisan, which coincides with part of March and includes the Passover—the most important festival for the Jewish people—Christ journeyed to Jerusalem. The evangelist Mark notes that the disciples followed Him with trepidation, clearly troubled by foreboding apprehensions. Perhaps it was their very sight of the Lord that stirred these concerns within them. However, the All-Knowing One discerned their unease, recognizing that their understanding of the forthcoming suffering remained a vague and distressing anticipation, and He saw their desire to avert this looming sorrow. Thus, as He ascended to Jerusalem, Jesus felt it necessary to remind them once again of the inevitability of His afflictions, “in order that by such a reminder to train their minds to think about it and to soften their grief.” Yet, the Lord chose not to disclose these truths to the crowd; instead, He addressed His disciples privately. He took only the twelve disciples aside, for if they struggled to grasp the purpose of His sufferings, the multitude would likely fall into greater confusion. While the Lord also conveyed messages to the people, it was not done with the same clarity; instead, He spoke in more veiled terms. He remarked, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days” (John 2:19), and “No sign will be given to him except the sign of Jonah the prophet” (Matthew 12:39), and “You will seek Me, and you will not find Me” (John 7:34). To His disciples, however, He communicated these matters with complete transparency. St. Chrysostom poses the question of why the Lord would speak if the people did not comprehend the significance of His words, and he answers that it was to ensure that they would later recognize that Jesus Christ anticipated His suffering and willingly embraced it. He also spoke to His disciples to prepare them for the sudden onset of suffering, cautioning them first about His death, and as they began to contemplate and brace themselves for it, He revealed that He would be betrayed to the Gentiles, mistreated, and beaten. Notice how wisely He selected the timing for these revelations. He did not disclose this information initially; rather, He waited until they had witnessed sufficient evidence of His divine power and had received significant promises of everlasting life. Only then, amidst miracles and teachings, did He frequently speak of His impending trials. He warned them to be prepared for the great tribulation that was approaching."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The duration of Jesus’ time in the wilderness is uncertain, but as the Passover drew near, He felt compelled to depart from His seclusion and head to Jerusalem. Accompanied by His disciples, all of His followers sensed that He was on the path toward an impending death, causing them to trail Him with anxiety, this time leading the way. During the journey, while the sorrowful crowd walked in silence, Jesus gathered the twelve apostles and spoke to them, saying, “Your foreknowledge does not deceive you; yes, we are going to Jerusalem, and there all that the prophets have foretold concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled: they will deliver Him up to the Gentiles, and they will mock Him, and insult Him, and spit on Him, and scourge Him, and beat Him, and kill Him: and the third day He will rise again” (Luke 18:32-33). This was not the first occasion He had imparted this message to them, yet they remained unable to grasp its meaning then, just as they had before. They had recognized in Peter that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God; however, they could not accept that the Messiah, the Son of God, could face death. If He were unable to die, how could He then rise again? If Jesus were to be killed, it would imply that He was neither the Messiah nor the Son of God. This led to profound questions about His identity — questions needing answers that the apostles could not provide, for these truths were hidden from them, and they failed to comprehend what was said (Luke 18:34)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The duration of this unplanned retreat in Ephraim remains uncertain (John 11:54), but the Passover celebration was drawing near, the time when the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world would be sacrificed alongside the ritual lambs. Pilgrims from all regions journeyed to Jerusalem, and Jesus along with His disciples joined them. Deep in contemplation about the momentous task ahead, He was followed by His disciples, who were hesitant to disturb His thoughts. Finally, He paused and summoned them, and for the third time, He spoke to them with more clarity, depth, and urgency than ever before about the betrayal He would face at the hands of the chief priests and scribes, His condemnation to death, and His handover to the Gentiles. He revealed specifically that the Gentiles would mock and scourge Him, and for the first time, He disclosed the most dreadful aspect of His fate—that He would be poured out. However, He also assured them that He would rise again on the third day. Yet, their hearts and minds remained absorbed in earthly hopes for the Messiah, preoccupied with thoughts of the approaching kingdom of God in all its glory. Thus, His ominous prediction seemed to leave them completely unresponsive; they did not comprehend it, nor did they desire to grasp its meaning. This was profoundly illustrated by a subsequent event that brought sorrow to Christ."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord Jesus Christ journeyed with His disciples toward Jerusalem, a path that represented the way of the cross leading to His sacrificial offering at Golgotha. The God-Man foresaw the culmination of this journey—His suffering in Jerusalem, along with the appalling details that accompanied it. Fully aware of what lay ahead, He moved forward, embodying the sentiment expressed by Blessed Theophylact, that He eagerly approached suffering without retreating from death for the sake of our redemption. The disciples trailed behind Him, hesitating to disturb His solitary reflections, inwardly filled with a spectrum of emotions. Some, clinging to the prevailing belief in an earthly Messiah's kingdom and interpreting Christ’s promise of placing them on twelve thrones (Matt. 19:27-30) literally, envisioned the imminent establishment of this reign with great anticipation. Others, the majority, grappled with fear. They were aware that the malicious Pharisees had repeatedly plotted against their Master (John 5:16, 18; 10:31, 39), which had led the Apostle Thomas to perceive a journey to Judea as one leading to certain peril (11:16). Given their state of vulnerability and the intense animosity surrounding them, they anxiously contemplated the threats that awaited not only the Divine Teacher, but also His closest companions in Jerusalem.\\n\\nThe Savior's predictions about His impending sufferings, death, and resurrection (Matt. 16:21; 17:22, 23) could have brought solace to the disciples by demonstrating the unwavering resolve of God, yet these revelations seemed to be forgotten or misunderstood. Knowing their thoughts and feelings, the Lord called the twelve apostles to Him and, for the third time, spoke more openly about the events to come. According to Blessed Theophylact's interpretation, He aimed to fortify their spirits so that, having received this foreknowledge, they might endure the reality with courage, rather than be taken aback by its suddenness, while also understanding that His suffering was in accordance with divine will. In St. Matthew's gospel, there's a new element in this revelation: His death by crucifixion. The Lord declared, \\"Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled: He will be betrayed by the chief priests and scribes, condemned to death, mocked, scourged, and crucified, and on the third day He will rise again.\\" However, these solemn words did not resonate with the disciples, as highlighted by St. Luke, who noted that they \\"understood nothing of these things; the meaning was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.\\" This struggle for comprehension among Jesus’ closest followers can be attributed to the fact that it was only after receiving the Holy Spirit that they attained the full measure of spiritual insight. Until that Divine illumination, as St. John Chrysostom articulated, they \\"either believed or disbelieved His words and could not grasp their meaning,\\" noting that “before the cross they did not know much.” Still influenced by worldly ambitions, they sometimes focused on human perspectives rather than divine truths (Matthew 16:23). Eventually, witnessing the exact fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies regarding His suffering and death served to reinforce their faith in His triumphant resurrection, which became undeniable evidence of His divine nature (1 Cor. 15:14)."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Gospel writers introduce this story with phrases such as \\"and going up to Jerusalem\\" (Matt.) and \\"when they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem\\" (Mark). These statements suggest that Jesus, accompanied by His disciples, had crossed the Jordan River and was making His way toward Jerusalem, passing through Jericho (cf. Matt. 19:15; Mark 10:17). At this moment, it became evident to the Lord's disciples that He intended to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, which filled their hearts with fear and apprehension: \\"Jesus went on ahead of them, and they were terrified, and as they followed Him they were afraid\\" (Mark). They had experienced similar feelings when Jesus called them to Judea for the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:7-8, 16). However, unlike that earlier occasion when He reassured them (John 11:9-10), the Lord now distinctly withdrew the twelve and presented them with a clear and definitive prophecy about what was to occur in Jerusalem. By foretelling the suffering and death that awaited Him, Jesus went ahead of them, instilling courage in His followers and demonstrating that He was prepared to face death when His appointed time arrived. \\n\\nIt is noteworthy that the disciples grasped little of the Lord's prophecy regarding His death and resurrection: \\"these words were hidden from them, and they did not understand what was said.\\""},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the Passover approached and Jews from various regions converged in Jerusalem, the Lord planned to travel there with His disciples. Rather than heading straight from Ephraim, He chose a route through Jericho to join the multitude of worshippers ascending to the city, intending to make a triumphant entry. The disciples, apprehensive about the dangers posed by those armed against Jesus, walked with trepidation (Mark 10:32). The Lord, however, led the way and was soon accompanied by fellow travelers. The mention of Jesus, well-known among the crowds, began to resonate with the worshippers, potentially overshadowing the disciples' fears and igniting their hopes for the Messiah's kingdom. \\n\\nSeparating the twelve from the rest, the Lord took them aside to caution them about what awaited Him in Jerusalem. He revealed that He would be betrayed into the hands of His adversaries, specifically the Sanhedrin, who would condemn Him to death. However, they themselves would not execute Him; instead, He would be handed over to the Gentiles, notably the Roman authorities governing Judea. The Gentiles, in turn, would not carry out the Sanhedrin's verdict immediately, but would first mock Him, scourge Him, and spit on Him before ultimately putting Him to death. The Lord emphasized that all of this must come to pass in accordance with prophecy, and He concluded by stating that the Son of Man would rise from the dead on the third day, a condition far less than that of Lazarus in the grave."}]}
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