Mark 9:32

They understood not. In spite of all that Jesus had told them, in plain language (see on v. 31), the disciples still misunderstood (see on Luke 9:45). The principal reason the disciples failed to understand was that they did not want to believe it necessary for the Messiah to suffer and die (see on Matt. 16:22, 23). Such an idea posed a bold challenge to their preconceived opinions about the Messiah (see on Luke 4:19). They expected that eventually Christ would reign as a temporal prince and were unwilling to surrender their glowing expectations of the honor they anticipated sharing with Him when that time should arrive (cf. DA 415, 417; see on Luke 4:19).

Afraid to ask. Realizing, perhaps, that they shared the point of view recently put forward by Peter, and that should they speak now it would be only to express the same thoughts (see on Matt. 16:22, 23), they remained silent. According to Matt. 17:23, they were “exceeding sorry,” that is, “greatly distressed.”