It is far more probable that Jesus did indeed believe himself to be the Christ but was very cautious about accepting the title or allowing premature enthusiasm to overwhelm his mission because popular christological expectation did not leave room for a suffering Messiah (see further below, pp. 476–77). After the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ’s more glorious nature could be described without as much fear of misunderstanding (9:9).18 For Mark, however, 10:45 may be the most important verse in