The word “again” cannot refer to an earlier announcement of suffering that would have been given to the twelve only. It is now for the first time that only the twelve from the circle of disciples hear an announcement of suffering. The word “again” (only with Mark, who is also the only one who goes into detail about Jesus’ walking ahead of the twelve) must therefore refer to his no longer walking ahead alone. Jesus again lets his disciples walk “in step” with the Messiah, on the way to his suffering. Not all the disciples must now be around him, only the twelve. The others follow at some distance.1
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,