God hid the meaning from the disciples; it was not yet time for them to know.
Jesus told the twelve plainly that He would be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, put to death, and rise the third day (Luke 18:32-33). Luke then records that they understood none of these things because this saying was hid from them (Luke 18:34). Les Feldick teaches that God sovereignly concealed the truth, so it was not yet time for them to know.
Luke 18:34 — This verse explicitly records that the disciples understood none of these things because the saying was hid from them.
Luke 18:31-33 — These verses show that Jesus had actually told the disciples plainly what would happen, making the concealment in verse 34 all the more significant.
Luke 18 records the clearest example of Jesus telling the twelve what would happen. As they were going up to Jerusalem, Jesus said, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished." He then told them that He would be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, spitefully entreated, spitted on, scourged, put to death, and that on the third day He would rise again (Luke 18:31-33). The very next verse gives the biblical explanation: "And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken" (Luke 18:34).
Les Feldick repeatedly draws attention to these verses, saying the language Jesus used was "as plain as you can get it" (Clip 5). Yet the twelve, who had been with Him for three years, understood none of it because the saying was hid from them (Clip 5). Les answers the question "Who hid it?" with "God did," and explains that it was not time for them to know (Clips 4, 5). Les uses this as evidence that they had no idea Jesus would die or rise. If they had understood, Les says, they would have been waiting outside the tomb on Sunday morning (Clips 3, 7). Instead they gave up and went back to Galilee, thinking it was all over (Clip 2), and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint the body, not to see whether Jesus had come out of the tomb (Clip 1). God hid these things providentially and sovereignly until the time He had ordained for them to understand (Clip 6).
Yes. Luke 18:31-33 records Jesus telling the twelve, while going to Jerusalem, that He would be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, spitefully entreated, spitted on, scourged, put to death, and rise again on the third day. Les points out that Jesus spoke in "plain language, as plain as you can get it," yet the very next verse says they understood none of these things (Clip 5).
Luke says "this saying was hid from them" (Luke 18:34). Les explicitly answers the question: God did. It wasn't time for them to know (Clips 4, 5). He describes the hiding as providential and sovereign, and says God has hidden many things until the time He has ordained that they understand (Clip 6).
Les says that if they had understood Jesus would rise, they would have been outside the tomb early that Sunday morning waiting to see it happen (Clip 3). Instead, there was no expectation of a resurrection. Mary Magdalene came to anoint the body with spices, not to see whether Jesus had come out of the tomb (Clip 1), and the rest went back to Galilee because they thought it was all over (Clip 2).
Les concludes that the twelve did not preach Christ crucified and risen from the dead during Jesus' earthly ministry, even though this is the very heart of our gospel today. Their lack of understanding remained until God revealed these things in His own time (Clips 1, 7).
What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels
You see how plain that is? That isn't gobbledygook. My sixth grader can read that. If you'll read it, you can understand it. That without the Law, yes witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but even the righteousness of God, which is by the faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that repent and are baptized. No, it doesn't say that.
No Expectation on Sunday Morning
Les shows that after Jesus' death the disciples had no idea He would rise; Mary Magdalene went to the tomb for burial custom, not to witness a resurrection.
God Hid It From Them
Les points to Luke's statement that they understood none of these things because it was hid from them and identifies God as the one who hid it, which is why they gave up and went back to Galilee.
God Never Opened Their Eyes
Les stresses that even though Jesus told them more than once, God never opened their eyes to it; if they had understood, they would have been waiting at the tomb that Sunday morning.
Who Hid It? God Did
Les reads the Luke 18 passage and answers his own question: God hid it, because it wasn't time for them to know.
It Wasn't Time for Them to Know
Les highlights the plainness of Jesus' words and then insists that God hid the saying from the twelve because the time had not yet arrived.
Providentially and Sovereignly Hidden
Les describes the hiding as providential and sovereign, and says the disciples should not be blamed because God has hidden many things until the time He has ordained.
God Purposely Hidden Until His Own Time
Les confirms the disciples had no idea Jesus would be alive three days later, and explains that God purposely hidden these things so He could reveal them in His own time.
Luke 18:31-33: 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. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Jesus' clear statement to the twelve about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection.
Luke 18:34: And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
The biblical explanation for why the disciples did not understand.
Yes. Luke 18:31-33 records Jesus telling the twelve that He would be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, put to death, and rise again on the third day. The problem was not that He hadn't spoken plainly, but that they understood none of it (Luke 18:34).
Luke 18:34 says the saying was hid from them. Les teaches that God hid it and that it wasn't time for them to know (Clips 4, 5). Their lack of belief wasn't from neglecting Jesus' words; it was a sovereign concealment for a later revelation.
No. Les points out that the only one at the tomb Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, came to anoint the body with spices, not to see the resurrection (Clip 1). The others had gone back to Galilee because they thought it was all over (Clip 2).
Watch the Teaching: What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels