These things have I spoken unto you
Concerning the world's hatred and persecution of them, and the
little regard they would show to their doctrine: these things
Christ thought, proper to give them notice of before hand, that
expecting them, they might be prepared for them, and be fortified
against them;
that,
says he,
ye should not be offended:
his view in speaking of them, was not to discourage them, but to
prevent their stumbling at them, and falling by them. Hardships
coming upon persons at unawares, bear the harder upon their
spirits, and they are more apt to take offence at them and be
impatient under them, which is prevented by previous intimation:
had Christ said nothing of these things that should befall his
disciples, they might have surprised them, and have been a
stumbling to them; and might have tempted them to have
relinquished their profession of him, and dropped their
ministerial work; whereas being apprized of them before hand,
they were not so shocking to them. This shows the tender concern
of Christ for his disciples, how careful he was to remove, every
occasion of stumbling, or what might be matter of offence to
them; and may teach us to act in such like manner towards one
another, in this, or any other case.