Matthew 20:17

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way, he said unto them, Behold we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and scribes: and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify: and the third day he shall be raised up.

THE THIRD PROPHETIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF JESUS' PASSION

In the two previous prophetic announcements of his impending Passion, in Matthew 16:21 and Matthew 17:22,23, Christ had revealed the following details of his approaching death and resurrection:

Death would be accomplished in Jerusalem.

Scribes would have a part in it.

Chief priests would be involved.

The elders of the people would also be instruments of his death.

He would suffer many things from them.

He would not merely die, but be killed, a far different thing.

He would rise from the dead.

His resurrection would occur on the third day.

He would fall into their hands by being "delivered up," that is, betrayed.

In the place before us, Christ added the following supplemental details:

He would be condemned to death, indicating a trial by tribunal.

The Gentiles would have a part in it.

Gentiles would mock him.

Gentiles would scourge him.

Gentiles would crucify him.

Thus, no less than 14 pertinent and significant details of the approaching Passion were pinpointed by Christ. In these three prophetic announcements of his Passion, it is plain that every circumstance of those awful events was fully known by the Lord BEFORE it occurred.

It is stated that Jesus took the apostles "apart." Throughout his ministry, there were numbers of occasions when Christ withdrew from the hustle and bustle of daily work to engage in prayer, meditation, contemplation, and quietness. It was in such an hour that he gathered strength to approach the cross. Disciples in all ages should not neglect the ministry of the quiet hour in which the soul may take its soundings, the true perspective be ascertained, and in which the resources of the spirit may be replenished at the fountain of prayer and meditation. Vance Havner put it like this, "`Come ye yourselves apart ... and rest awhile' (Mark 6:31). This is a MUST for Christians. If you don't come apart, you WILL come apart."[1]