Matthew 17:23
“and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.”
What does Matthew 17:23 mean?
Jesus is preparing his disciples for what's coming, telling them plainly that he will die and then rise again three days later. The disciples are devastated by this news, not yet able to grasp that resurrection is part of the plan. Their sorrow shows how deeply they loved him and how difficult it was to hear that their teacher and friend would face such suffering. For those of us who know the resurrection did happen, this moment reminds us that even Jesus's closest followers struggled to hold onto hope during their darkest moments, making their later faith all the more powerful.