The disciples state that Jesus is no longer using the “dark sayings” but is speaking plainly. They seem to think that their difficulty in understanding has been removed and everything has become clear for them, and they are correct to a certain extent. They do now understand that Jesus came from the Father and is going back to the Father but the process by which this is going to be accomplished is still remote to them even though Jesus has plainly told them several times before. Their problem is not so much the words He uses as it is the situation and time in which they find themselves. It is much easier to understand the need for the crucifixion on this side of the cross than on their side of it.