Why did the twelve disciples fail to understand Jesus' plain statement about his death?
The twelve did not understand because God had not yet chosen to reveal it to them. Though Christ plainly foretold His death and resurrection, the saying was hidden from them; they comprehended none of it. A sovereign God does not reveal a truth until He is ready to reveal it.
In Luke 18:31–34, as Christ and the twelve traveled from Galilee down to Jerusalem shortly before the crucifixion, He told them all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man would be accomplished: He would be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, spitefully entreated, spit upon, scourged, put to death, and rise again the third day. The statement was plain. Yet the next verse says the twelve understood none of these things and never comprehended a word. Les explains this was not because they refused to listen, but because God had not yet seen fit to reveal it. The saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things spoken. Les teaches that a sovereign God does not reveal a truth until He is ready to reveal it. The passage then moves to another confession of Christ’s earthly ministry from Peter in Matthew 16.
Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
More Questions
Why did the twelve disciples fail to understand Jesus when He plainly predicted His death and resurrection?
The twelve did not understand Jesus' prophecy because God had not yet revealed it to them, not because they were unwilling to listen.
Did Jesus' disciples understand that He would die and rise again on the third day?
Though Jesus told the Twelve clearly that He would go to Jerusalem, be killed, and rise the third day, they comprehended none of it and had no idea He would die or rise from the dead.
why didn't the disciples understand Jesus when He told them He would die and rise again?
The Twelve did not understand Jesus' plain prediction of His death and resurrection because the saying was hidden from them.