“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,”
Matthew 20:17 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 20:17
The Lord leaving Galilee, did not go up straightway to Jerusalem, but first wrought miracles, refuted the Pharisees, and taught the disciples concerning perfection of life, and its reward; now when about to go up to Jerusalem, He again speaks to them of His passion.
Judas was yet among the twelve; for he was perhaps still worthy to hear in private along with the rest the things which his Master should suffer.
For the salvation of men entirely rests upon Christ’s death; nor is there any thing for which we are more bound to render thanks to God, than for His death. He imparted the mystery of His death to His disciples for this reason, namely, because the more precious treasure is ever committed to the more worthy vessels. Had the rest heard of the passion of Christ, the men might have been troubled because of the weakness of their faith, and the women because of the tenderness of…