And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Ver. 17. Took the twelve disciples] To rouse them and raise them out of their carnal fears and dejections. Jerusalem was the saints' slaughter house,Luke 13:33; (as Rome is now, which therefore is spiritually called Jerusalem, Egypt, Sodom, &c., Rev 11:8). Hither our Saviour bent his course; hereupon they were amazed and afraid, Mark 10:32, and gave him counsel to go back rather into Galilee for his own and their safety, John 11:8. He takes them therefore apart, and tells them as followeth, what they must trust to; and that though he be brought to the dust of death, he will rise again gloriously, to their great comfort.