Jesus was telling them about his death and resurrection. "But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said" (Lk 18:33). "They were afraid to ask Him" (Mk 9:32). Peter's understanding of it was that he "began to rebuke Him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You'" (Mt 16:22). Jesus replied, "'You are not setting your mind on God's interests'"(:23). God is interested in what he does and you should focus on it too. Jesus explained, "'I lay down My life for the sheep'" (Jn 10:15). "'I lay it down on My own initiative . . . and I have authority to take it up again'" (:18). However, "He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ" (Mt 16:20). Furthermore, "As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "'Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead'" (17:9). He also instructed, "'After I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee'" (26:32). He had, however, provided some knowledge. He gave them "'the sign of Jonah the prophet; for . . . so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth'" (12:39-40). There is also the example of Lazarus. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Martha told him, "'Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days'" (Jn 11:39). He said to her, "'Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'" (:40). Then he cried, "'Lazarus, come forth'" (:43) and he was raised by God's power in the same way that "God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power" (1Co 6:14). Paul sought to "know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death" (Php 3:10).
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb the first day of the week. They found the stone sealing the entrance of the tomb rolled away and two angels standing nearby. They said, "'Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen'" (Lk 24:6). This was to fulfill the prophecy: "For You will not abandon my soul to Scheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay" (Ps 16:10). The angels reminded them what they had been told saying that it was "'just as He said'" (Mt 28:6). They said, "'Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee'" (Lk 24:6). At that time "Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem . . . and be killed, and be raised up on the third day" (Mt 16:21). He had also said, "'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up'" (Jn 2:19). This is why Jesus was accused of blasphemy. Before the high priest a witness stated that Jesus had said, "'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days'" (Mt 26:61). Jesus, himself, had explained why they didn't understand due to the parables because "'seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear'" (13:13). Jesus also told Caiaphas that "'hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven'" (26:64). They didn't accept that either. When the angels explained things to the women at the tomb "they remembered His words" (Lk 24:8). However, when they "were telling these things to the apsotles . . . these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them" (:10-11). It is not a matter of just bad memory. Jesus specifically told the twelve that all things written would be accomplished (18:31). The end result in Jerusalem would be "'they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise again'" (:33). Again, Mary Magdalene "reported to those who had been with Him . . . [and] when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it" (Mk 15:10-11). Jesus was aware of their state of faith. He appeared to the group at dinner and "reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen" (16:14).