Why did the disciples not know Jesus would die and rise again?
The disciples did not understand because the Old Testament prophecies of His death, burial, and resurrection were written in veiled language that even the prophets could not comprehend. Peter and John did not know the Scripture that He must rise from the dead, and the men closest to Him had no idea He would die or be resurrected.
Les explains that Peter and John “knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” If they had no idea He was going to be crucified and raised, they could not have been preaching our Gospel back during His earthly ministry. Les says the idea that the Gospel as we know it began as soon as Jesus came on the scene is impossible, because no one understood that He was going to die. The prophets had written it, and the Old Testament was full of His death, burial, and resurrection—some count 360-some distinct prophecies concerning His first coming, including His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and coming again. But it was in such veiled language that they did not know what it was talking about; the prophets themselves could not understand. Even these men closest to Him, such as Peter and John, had no idea He was going to die, and after He was dead they had no idea He was going to be resurrected. They just had not been able to comprehend it. Les then moves to 1 Corinthians chapter 2.