Matthew 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said to them, I. The language of the text is the testimony of our great Prophet concerning His OWN SUFFERINGS. You see it is a prophecy; the event had not yet taken place. 1. His suffering was substitutional. 2. Acceptable. 3. Covenanted. II. THE HANDS EMPLOYED. 1. The ruthless traitor. 2. The infidel priesthood. 3. The far-famed literary men. III. THE END ACCOMPLISHED. "They shall condemn Him to death." (J. Irons.)How the faithfulness of Christ toward His disciples appears in the announcement of His impending sufferings. I. It is seen in the gradual manner in which He makes the fact known. From the first He had intimated that His path was one of suffering; but, while putting an end to their spurious hopes, He had never said anything to cast them down. II. He now set it before them in all its terrors. He dealt candidly with them. Return was still possible for them, though, from their former decision, He no longer asked them whether they would forsake Him. III. He placed before their view the promise awaiting them at the end, thus establishing and encouraging them by this blessed prospect. (J. P. Lange, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, |
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