This is the third time Jesus foretells his death. The first time, in Cesarea Filipi, the disciples denied that reality and were ready to protect Jesus. The second time they were horrified. This time, the disciples’ senses are numbed by their dream of an earthly kingdom and desire to sit as close as possible to that political Messiah. Jesus knew that and tried to prepare them for a bitter disappointment. Are our expectations for the future based on the Word of God or just illusions?