Mark 9:31, commentary and pictures

Jesus was instructing His disciples in advance to prepare them for what lay ahead and to open the future to them, telling them plainly and more than once that He would be delivered and betrayed into the hands of men and His enemies, be killed and put to death, and rise again on the third day. He gave this instruction to awaken their interest and to give them opportunity to ask what He meant, especially concerning the coming trial of their faith.

They did not understand His words and were perplexed about His meaning, not caring to think about what He said, though they were saddened by it. They were afraid to ask Him what He meant. Instead of asking about it and talking it over, they fell to disputing among themselves who should be greatest, for selfish hopes of place in an earthly kingdom kept them from grasping and discussing it.

Because of this, when He was crucified His death came upon them as a surprise, and they did not believe He would rise. This failure to comprehend and believe left them in utter hopelessness, bitter disappointment, and sorrow, with everything appearing vague and mysterious and faith unable to pierce beyond the shadow cast across their horizon. Had they believed His words much sorrow would have been spared, but by failing to take in this truth they lost the chance to gain definite knowledge and words of comfort and hope for their later grief and disappointment, so that seeing afterward the outcome of their unbelief filled them with sorrow.