As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and spoke to them privately, as they walked along.

and then hand him over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, whip him, and crucify him; but three days later he will be raised to life."

Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true.

They will whip him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life."

Listen then, Joshua, you who are the High Priest; and listen, you fellow priests of his, you that are the sign of a good future: I will reveal my servant, who is called The Branch!

As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem.

"Teacher," the disciples answered, "just a short time ago the people there wanted to stone you; and are you planning to go back?"

Thomas (called the Twin) said to his fellow disciples, "Let us all go along with the Teacher, so that we may die with him!"

He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.

At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.

Jesus answered, "The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said to them privately, "How fortunate you are to see the things you see!