Despite the fact that Jesus had explained why
He was going to Jerusalem and it wasn't to
accept the earthly kingdom, but to be rejected
and killed. They still didn't seem to understand.

They couldn't see Him being taken from them.
So they assumed that His words were not to
be taken literally.

They did seem to realize that some profound
development was about to take place in His
ministry, but they were still believing it would
bring in the earthly kingdom they were hoping
for.