you do not know your scripture Doug;
All references are from the
New King James Version (NKJV), This text concludes with scriptural evidence that the disciples understood Jesus’ death before Paul ever encountered Christ. No one can deny what is clearly written in scripture.
Jesus did not keep His death a secret from His disciples. Throughout His ministry, He plainly told them what would happen, when it would happen, and why. Although at first they struggled to understand, there came a moment when they finally grasped the truth. This truth was revealed by Jesus Himself, before any outsider—including Paul—could have known. Scripture clearly shows that the original disciples, chosen and taught by Jesus, understood His coming death and resurrection well before Paul ever became a follower.
Jesus Openly Foretells His Death
Jesus spoke of His death on multiple occasions. The first clear prophecy is recorded after Peter confessed that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God."
This marks the first time Jesus
began to explain clearly to His disciples that He would be killed and raised on the third day. It’s important that Matthew writes
“from that time”—showing this was a turning point. Jesus no longer spoke in parables but openly revealed the suffering ahead.
Peter, still not fully understanding, reacted strongly:
But Jesus corrected Peter:
This rebuke shows that Peter's thinking was still earthly, but the teaching had begun. Jesus was preparing them to accept the hard truth.
Repeated Warnings and Growing Clarity
Jesus did not mention His death just once. He reminded them again:
This time the disciples are
“exceedingly sorrowful”—showing they understood enough to be deeply troubled.
Again, shortly before arriving in Jerusalem:
This is the most detailed prophecy yet. Jesus plainly names the people involved, the actions taken, the method of death—
crucifixion—and the timing of the resurrection.
HOW CAN YOU SAY THEY DID NOT KNOW?
The Moment of Understanding
Although the disciples struggled at times to accept what Jesus was saying, there is a clear moment when they finally understood.
At the Last Supper, Jesus again spoke of His death:
After He gave them bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, Jesus said:
At this point, the disciples no longer questioned that Jesus was going to die. Their silence at the table, their sorrow in Gethsemane, and their reaction to His arrest all show that they finally knew what was coming.
Jesus had told them many times. But after the Last Supper, they stopped asking questions. Their sorrow became real, not just confusion.
After the Resurrection: Full Clarity and Witness
When Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared first to His disciples—not Paul.
He reminded them that everything had happened exactly as He had foretold.
From this moment, their understanding was complete. They understood both His death and His purpose. Jesus had taught them personally, opened their eyes to the Scriptures, and called them to be witnesses.
The Disciples Testify Before Paul’s Conversion
Before Paul ever met Jesus, the disciples were already teaching that Jesus died and rose again. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the crowd:
Peter speaks boldly, proving that
he now understands everything Jesus had told them.
The disciples were the first witnesses, the first preachers of the gospel of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Paul, however, did not meet Jesus until later—after these events. His first encounter with Jesus came on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3–6), when Jesus revealed Himself directly to Paul. But by then, the disciples had already seen, heard, believed, and were spreading the message.
The Disciples Knew First!!!
Scripture clearly shows that:
- Jesus foretold His death multiple times to His disciples.
- They began to understand after His third clear prophecy.
- At the Last Supper, they finally accepted the truth.
- After the resurrection, Jesus opened their minds fully.
- The disciples were preaching the gospel before Paul ever believed.
Therefore, the original disciples knew of Jesus’ death and resurrection both in prophecy and in experience before Paul ever encountered Jesus. Their understanding came directly from the mouth of the Lord Himself.
Let this stand as a testimony to their faith and witness:
Their testimony they witnessed all this first hand!! they Knew first before anyone else. Their understanding came first. And it was they who were chosen to pass it on to the world just as Jesus asked them to do.