7. First and foremost among them the Son of man Himself should suffer On the cross. And the first and foremost of these witnesses referred to (chap. 23:34) was to be HIMSELF, as He says to His disciples (chap. xxvi. 2): "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." The immediate connection of this with the instruction in chapters 24 and 25 is important. There He had been telling them-Jerusalem is to be overthrown and remain in desolation till I come in glory. (24:1-44.) But after Jerusalem's overthrow there will be a house (44-51) and a kingdom (25:1-13) of mine; both of which, however, before my return, will become degenerate. The principles of their degeneracy are simple. (14-30.) Then I shall come in glory to judge the Gentiles, as the harbinger of the general judgment. (31-46.) "And it came to pass, when he had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." (Chap. 26:1, 2.) Then (vers. 3 and 4) the' Jews sought to kill him.