Matthew 20:19

19. The Gentiles The English word is from the Latin gens, a race. The Greek term εθνος , ethnos, is the word whence comes our heathen. The Jews from their own standpoint called other peoples the Gentiles, that is, the nations. Here it specifically designates the Romans.

The parallel passage in Luke 18:33-34, gives the fullest detail of our Lord’s words. But Luke adds: “This saying was hid from them; neither knew they the things which were spoken.” It was a striking instance of the influence of will over the understanding. They wished it otherwise, and would believe it otherwise than our Lord predicted. They saw, and heard, and imagined a great many things that seemed to contradict the natural import of the Lord’s prophecies. They declined, therefore, to accept their literal interpretation.