But they did not understand that word, and they were afraid to ask Him.
This condition of the disciples is very human. They did not understand, because their ideas about the Messiah were still mixed with earthly expectations. At the same time they were afraid to ask, perhaps because this subject was painful and unclear, or because they had already sensed its seriousness. Sometimes a person hears the truth, but is not spiritually prepared to receive it deeply, because he is afraid of fully understanding it. This verse warns us that we must not avoid Christ’s difficult words. What at first is sorrowful or perplexing later becomes a cornerstone of faith.