The disciples" response shows that they understood and did not like to hear what lay ahead. They grasped Jesus" death but did not yet understand His resurrection. It was not until after Jesus arose from the dead that they understood the Resurrection. Had they understood His resurrection now they would not have been sorrowful. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Matthew 17:22-27 - Pay Tribute Where It Is Due
All Jews were required to pay the half-shekel for the maintenance of the Temple services. See Exodus 30:13. As God's own Son, our Lord might surely have claimed exemption from taxation for His Father's house. But He waived His claims, that He might not put a stumbling-block in the way of others. We must often conform to requirements that seem needless, because of the effect of our example on others who have not had the advantages of our illumination.
In the miracle that followed, our Lord sweetly teaches that He is responsible for the expenses of those who have given up other means to livelihood in order to devote themselves to His service. It is as though we are encouraged to go to Him to meet the demands made on us for taxes of one kind and another. He will give us what we need, kindly classing Himself with us, not in two coins, but in one. Make Christ's interest your aim; He will make your taxes His care. See 1 John 1:3. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 17
1The transfiguration of Jesus 14He heals the boy with a demon, 22foretells his own passion, 24and pays tribute
Greek Commentary for Matthew 17:23
And they were exceeding sorry [και ελυπητησαν σποδρα] So they at last understood that he was talking about his death and resurrection. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 17:23
Mark 9:31For he taught [edidasken gar)] Imperfect tense, and the reason given for secrecy. He was renewing again definitely the prediction of his death in Jerusalem some six months ahead as he had done before (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22). Now as then Jesus foretells his resurrection “after three days” (“the third day,” Matthew 17:23). [source]
Mark 9:32But they understood not the saying [hoi de ēgnooun to rhēma)] An old word. Chiefly in Paul‘s Epistles in the N.T. Imperfect tense. They continued not to understand. They were agnostics on the subject of the death and resurrection even after the Transfiguration experience. As they came down from the mountain they were puzzled again over the Master‘s allusion to his resurrection (Mark 9:10). Matthew 17:23 notes that “they were exceeding sorry” to hear Jesus talk this way again, but Mark adds that they “were afraid to ask him” Continued to be afraid (imperfect tense), perhaps with a bitter memory of the term “Satan” hurled at Peter when he protested the other time when Jesus spoke of his death (Mark 8:33; Matthew 16:23). Luke 9:45 explains that “it was concealed from them,” probably partly by their own preconceived ideas and prejudices. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 17:23 mean?
andthey will killHimon thethirddayHe will be raised upthey were grieveddeeply
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἡμέρα
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
Greek Commentary for Matthew 17:23
So they at last understood that he was talking about his death and resurrection. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 17:23
Imperfect tense, and the reason given for secrecy. He was renewing again definitely the prediction of his death in Jerusalem some six months ahead as he had done before (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22). Now as then Jesus foretells his resurrection “after three days” (“the third day,” Matthew 17:23). [source]
An old word. Chiefly in Paul‘s Epistles in the N.T. Imperfect tense. They continued not to understand. They were agnostics on the subject of the death and resurrection even after the Transfiguration experience. As they came down from the mountain they were puzzled again over the Master‘s allusion to his resurrection (Mark 9:10). Matthew 17:23 notes that “they were exceeding sorry” to hear Jesus talk this way again, but Mark adds that they “were afraid to ask him” Continued to be afraid (imperfect tense), perhaps with a bitter memory of the term “Satan” hurled at Peter when he protested the other time when Jesus spoke of his death (Mark 8:33; Matthew 16:23). Luke 9:45 explains that “it was concealed from them,” probably partly by their own preconceived ideas and prejudices. [source]