The Galilean Ministry has been a failure (See Mt 11:20-24). The miracles displayed in those three cities have obtained the result of the Relief Service. It is about time to shift gears! Jesus rejects the temptations synthesized in the desert narrative: To be an Economic Messiah, or a Political Messiah, or to make Religion work for His own profit. Now He heads for Jerusalem, the See of the institutionalized Church for the Jews: there, before the Leaders of Israel, He will act as the Universal Messiah. Risky, indeed! That is why the number of followers has drastically decreased. Quantity is giving way to quality. He walks ahead of them, so when He says "follow me", there is no ambiguity: just follow his steps. Three times along the journey Jesus has predicted His Passion and Death. And every time there follows among the disciples a behaviour contrary to the doctrine of the Cross. This time, the two brothers, forcing the mediation of their mother (who is a benefactor) ask for the places of honour in the Kingdom. And once again Jesus corrects their stubbornness. How many times yet? It is a question of patience
eventually He will succeed.