From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
Christ reveals His mind gradually, letting in light as His people can bear it. Had the disciples not been well grounded in believing Him the Son of God, news of His sufferings would have shattered their faith entirely. All truths are not spoken to all persons at all times, but only such as suit their present state.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 16:21-23
This was His first clear word that He would die so cruelly. He had worked hard to convince them He was the Messiah, and seeing Peter's confession, He began preparing their minds for what lay ahead. Had He spoken this at the start, they would never have followed Him.
AI summary
Christ foreknew and foretold His death to show them He was truly God, to correct their error that His kingdom was temporal, and to prepare them for their own sufferings so they would not shrink at them. The great ones of church and state rejected and crucified Him, while the poor received Him.
AI summary