Many people are surprised to learn that Jesus very clearly predicted His death multiple times during His ministry. This wasn’t something hidden or vague—He told His disciples in advance that He would suffer, be killed, and rise again on the third day. Yet, despite His clarity, His followers did not understand Him.

A Clear Prophecy That Was Ignored #

The first time Jesus openly spoke about His death was recorded in:

Matthew 16:21 (AMP) — “From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples clearly that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed and be raised from the dead to life on the third day.”

The Greek word for “show” is deiknymi (δείκνυμι), which means “to explain clearly, to point out plainly.” Jesus wasn’t speaking in parables here. He began to teach this openly and repeatedly.

Still, the disciples couldn’t accept what He said. Peter even rebuked Jesus, which tells us how emotionally opposed he was to the idea of a suffering Messiah.

The word “rebuke” in Greek is epitimaō (ἐπιτιμάω), meaning “to admonish or correct sharply.” In other words, Peter told Jesus off. Why? Because they had a very different vision of the kingdom.

Still Hoping for Thrones and Power #

Their misunderstanding becomes even more obvious when the mother of James and John requests that her sons be seated beside Jesus in His kingdom.

Matthew 20:21-22 (AMP) — He said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to Him, ‘Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.’ But Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup [of suffering] that I am about to drink?’ They answered, ‘We are able.’”

The “cup” refers to suffering—potērion (ποτήριον) in Greek. It symbolises a divine appointment, especially regarding judgment or suffering. So, while the disciples were thinking about thrones and honour, Jesus was speaking of rejection and crucifixion.

Prophecy Repeated, Still Not Understood #

Later, Jesus repeated His prophecy in even more detail:

Luke 18:33-34 (AMP) — “And after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise [from the dead]. But the disciples understood none of these things; and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”

The word “hidden” is from the Greek kryptō (κρύπτω), which means “to conceal or cover.” It wasn’t that Jesus was unclear—it was that their expectations made them spiritually blind. They were looking for an earthly revolution, not a crucified Saviour.

They Still Expected the Kingdom to Appear Immediately #

Even as Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, they believed the earthly kingdom was about to begin.

Luke 19:11 (AMP) — “While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they assumed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.”

The word for “kingdom” here is basileia (βασιλεία), meaning dominion or reign. They believed Jesus would take political control of Jerusalem and throw out the Romans. Even in the final week, their expectation was for a national king, not a crucified Messiah.

The Mistaken Attempt to Make Jesus King #

One of the clearest moments that reveals their misunderstanding is recorded after Jesus fed five thousand people:

John 6:14-15 (AMP) — “When the people saw the sign that He had done, they said, ‘This is undoubtedly the Prophet who is to come into the world!’ Then Jesus, knowing that they were going to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself.”

They were so certain that Jesus was the one who would restore Israel politically that they tried to force Him into leadership. The Greek word for “take by force” is harpazō (ἁρπάζω), meaning “to seize or snatch away.” Jesus escaped because He had no intention of ruling by political means. His mission was spiritual, not national.

Even After the Resurrection, They Didn’t Get It #

On the road to Emmaus, two disciples spoke with deep disappointment. Their hopes had been crushed.

Luke 24:21 (AMP) — “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel and set our nation free. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.”

They still thought Jesus had come to redeem Israel politically, not spiritually. This is why Jesus had to open their minds to the Scriptures.

Luke 24:27 (AMP) — “Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the writings of the prophets, He explained and interpreted for them the things referring to Himself [found] in all the Scriptures.”

The word “explained” is diermēneuō (διερμηνεύω), meaning “to interpret thoroughly.” Jesus gave them a complete walkthrough of the Old Testament, showing that the path to His glory was through suffering.

Jesus Prophesied His Return Within Their Lifetime #

Jesus also made another important statement that is often misunderstood:

Matthew 16:28 (AMP) — “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

This was not a prediction of the end of the world. It was a reference to His coming in judgment on that generation, particularly in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70—a key moment that marked the end of the Old Covenant age and the full revealing of His kingdom’s spiritual nature.

Persecution Would Come After His Ascension #

Jesus prepared His disciples for future persecution—not during His earthly ministry, but after His death and resurrection.

Matthew 10:23 (AMP) — “When they persecute you in one city, run to the next; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not have covered all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

This “coming” was again a reference to judgment upon Israel within that generation. It was not a global return but a covenantal transition—the end of the Mosaic age and the beginning of the age of grace.

The Kingdom Was Never Meant to Be Earthly #

The consistent mistake of the disciples was to assume that Jesus came to set up an earthly political kingdom. But Jesus had come to establish a new creation, not through force, but through His death and resurrection.

The true glory of the kingdom could only come after the cross. His throne was not in Jerusalem but in the heavens. His crown was not made of gold but of thorns. His victory was not over Rome but over sin and death.

Let us not repeat the same mistake today by expecting physical wealth, political triumph, or visible dominance. The reign of Christ is spiritual, eternal, and established in the hearts of those who believe.

In Christ,

Shaliach.