Why the Disciples Failed to Understand Jesus’s Teachings

When considering the teachings of Jesus, one often wonders why his disciples did not fully grasp the spiritual message he intended to convey. This confusion primarily stemmed from a combination of their backgrounds and the novelty of the teachings themselves.

Explanations for Misunderstanding

Among the disciples, those from outside the collective where Jesus was raised struggled to comprehend his message. Approximately half of his disciples originated from outside his tribe. These external perspectives required additional explanation compared to the more familiar viewpoints of those from within his circle. Peter, being particularly conservative, faced the greatest challenge in understanding the spiritual teachings. His resistance to change and narrow-mindedness made him the slowest to fully grasp Jesus's message.

Mary Magdalene played a significant role in explaining Jesus's teachings to the apostles. However, Peter was resistant to this approach, revealing how conservative mindsets can hinder the understanding of complex spiritual concepts.

The Novelty of Jesus's Teachings

The teachings of Jesus were reinvented for the New Testament narrative. Concepts such as resurrection and salvation did not exist in the Old Testament. The authors of the New Testament portrayed the disciples as lacking the capacity to understand these new ideas, but this portrayal might have been a literary device to enhance the narrative's dramatic impact.

The disciples were ordinary men, accustomed to different expectations from their messiah. The majority of Jesus's teachings were presented in parables, which needed clarification. The real challenge, however, lay in understanding the significant purpose of his mission, the suffering, and the eventual death that he would endure.

Societal and Personal Barriers to Understanding

The disciples were influenced by the societal prejudices and expectations of their time. Even when Jesus warned them multiple times about his impending suffering and death, they did not fully grasp the significance of these events. It was only after the actual occurrence that they realized the depth of their misunderstanding.

The scene with John and James's mother further highlighted this misunderstanding. She asked for her sons to be given high positions in the kingdom, a notion deeply at odds with the revolutionary and self-sacrificing nature of Jesus's teachings. This request exemplifies the disciples’ struggle with the idea of a suffering Messiah.

A Universal Challenge

The failure to understand Jesus's teachings was not unique to the disciples but reflects a broader challenge in grasping profound spiritual messages. Despite being divinely appointed to save mankind and offer eternal life, the complexity and transformative nature of Jesus's mission remained obscured for many due to their societal and cultural contexts.