The words of Christ pointing to His death had brought sadness and doubt. And the selection of the three disciples to accompany Jesus to the mountain had excited the jealousy of the nine. Instead of strengthening their faith by prayer and meditation on the words of Christ, they had been dwelling on their discouragements and personal grievances. In this state of darkness they had undertaken the conflict with Satan.

Kristi ord, der viste hen til hans død, havde skabt sorg og tvivl. Og udvælgelsen af de tre disciple til at ledsage Jesus op på bjerget havde vakt skinsyge hos de ni. I stedet for at styrke deres tro gennem bøn og ved alvorligt at tænke over Kristi ord havde de dvælet ved deres modløshed og deres personlige grund til at klage. I denne mørke tilstand havde de påtaget sig at bekæmpe Satan.