Matthew 20:18

Verse 18. Behold we go, and so forth Jesus here, for the third time, foretells his death; (the first time, Matthew 16:21; the second time, Matthew 17:21) Our salvation and happiness are owing to the death of Christ; neither is there any thing that more loudly calls for our gratitude than his sufferings and death. Jesus takes the 12 apart, and reveals to them the mystery of his passion. He had previously declared it in public, but in ambiguous terms, saying: destroy this temple, and so forth A sign shall not be given, but the sign of Jonas the prophet; but here he manifestly expounds to his disciples the mystery: behold we go up to Jerusalem, and so forth This discourse of our Saviour is remarkable for an energetic strength of expression. Saint John Chrysostom—Jesus had repeatedly spoken to his apostles of his passion; but as much of what he had said had escaped their memory, now that he is upon the road to Jerusalem in company with his disciples, he brings it back to their recollection, to fortify them against the scandal they might take at his ignominious death. S. Jerom.