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This is a series of lectures given by Mr. Edward Rabel, member of the faculty of S.M.R.S.
Winter semester 1976 - 2nd. Yr. Class. Part of Lecture 24 given on March 5, 1976
Returning Privately Through Galilee. He Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection (This title is from the Harmony of the Gospels on page 107)
Right after the healing of the young boy and Jesus’ very cryptic, but very meaningful, response to the disciples' question as to why they weren't successful in healing the boy, there is a little section which is printed in all three of the synoptic Gospels. There is a similarity between the three. I will not interpret the meaning of this passage because I simply do not know. I quite honestly do not know the metaphysical implications of any of the three versions of this incident, but I want to read them to you so that you will get a feel for it and also respond to the differences in the accounts. First, I'll read the Mark version. (Read Mark's version, then read Matthew version, read then Luke.)
9:30And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 9:31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 9:32But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
We have a great mystery here which is never really cleared up as far as I can see the Gospels. We assume that it refers to Jesus predicting his own adventures through his trial and crucifixion and so on but we are not absolutely sure what Jesus is talking about because his disciples had already been told about that, they were well informed of his plans and purposes. Then why does it say that they didn't know what he was talking about? They were afraid to ask him about this. The mystery deepens when you look at the words Jesus uses. He does not say to them, "I, your leader, am going to be delivered..." He says, "The son of man is going to be delivered." It sounds like he is taking about somebody else. Why didn't he say I, Jesus, am going to be delivered into the hands of men." He uses the word son of man prior to this when he says, "who do men say the son of man is?" and nobody said, "you"; they all name other people and that is acceptable but then he says, "But who do you say I am?"
Now he is talking about himself, the Christ. Here again he is predicting or telling something that is going to happen; that a son of man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, he is going to be killed, and then is going to resurrect, but the way he says it certainly sounds as if he is talking about a third person, so we have a double question here. First of all, who is he really talking about here and just why? and secondly, why is there so much uncomprehension and fear on the part of the disciples.
Text of the original transcript of p.148a through the middle of page 148b (note there are two pages numbered 148).
Transcribed by Margaret Garvin on 04-03-2014
