Elijah’s appearance suggested to them the question, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must first come?” To which Jesus replied, “Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they listed. Even so shall the Son of Man also suffer of them.” Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist (Matthew xvii. 10 to 13). Mark (ix. 12 to 14) puts the reference to the Son of Man in the form of a question: “And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be set at naught? But I say unto you that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they listed, even as it is written of him.” In either form his own death is predicted.
After the transfiguration he went to Capernaum, passing through Galilee. “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, ‘The Son of Man shall be delivered up into the hands of men; and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up.’ And they were exceeding sorry.” (Matthew xvii. 22, 23.) “‘The Son of Man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again.’ But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” (Mark ix. 30 to 32.) “‘Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of Man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.’ But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” (Luke ix. 44, 45.) It is not necessary to suppose that it was otherwise concealed than by their dullness of apprehension, and preconceived opinions.
At the feast of Tabernacles, Jesus said to the officers whom the Pharisees had sent to take him: “Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me and shall not find me: and where I am ye cannot come.” (John vii. 32 to 35.)
He said the same to the Pharisees or the “Jews,” the day following the feast as he taught in the temple; and they said, “Will he kill himself, that he saith whither I go ye cannot come?” In reply, after repeating his previous declaration, he said, “When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he hath not left me alone; for I do always the things that are pleasing to him.” (John viii. 21 to 30.)
In the parable of the good shepherd spoken soon after the Feast, Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd ... and I lay down my life for the sheep.... Therefore doth the Father love me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No man taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment received I of my Father.” (John x. 11 to 18.)
He said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth on me, though he die yet shall he live.” (John xi. 25.)
As he was going up to Jerusalem to the Passover at which he was to suffer, he again repeated his announcement to his disciples. “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, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he shall be raised up.” (Matthew xx. 18, 19.) “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles; and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.” (Mark x. 33, 34.) “Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written by the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of Man; for he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully entreated, and spit upon; and they shall scourge and kill him; and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them; and they perceived not the things that were said.” (Luke xviii. 31 to 34.)
Immediately after (as it would seem), the mother of James and John came with them with the request, that the sons might sit one on his right hand, and one on his left hand, in his kingdom. The ten were moved with indignation. But Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew xx. 20 to 28; Mark x. 45.)
Six days before the Passover, he came to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom he had raised from the dead, and they made him a supper in the house of Simon; and Mary (the sister of Lazarus) anointed his head and feet with very precious ointment. This excited the anger of Judas. Jesus said, “Why trouble ye the woman, for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always, for in that she poured this ointment upon my body she did it to prepare me for burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Matthew xxvi. 6 to 13; Mark xiv. 3 to 10; John xii. 2 to 8.)