Matthew 26 31

Matthew 26:31 kjv

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Matthew 26:31 nkjv

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Matthew 26:31 niv

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "?'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Matthew 26:31 esv

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Matthew 26:31 nlt

On the way, Jesus told them, "Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, 'God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 31 Meaning

Matthew 26:31 reveals Jesus' divine foresight and the immediate crisis facing His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. He foretells that all of them will "stumble" or "fall away" that very night, explaining this predetermined event as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 13:7. The prophecy describes God striking "the shepherd" (referring to Jesus Himself) and the immediate scattering of "the sheep of the flock" (His disciples). This verse underscores the sovereignty of God's plan, even in moments of human weakness and abandonment, demonstrating that Christ's suffering and the disciples' desertion were not accidental failures but part of a divinely orchestrated redemption.

Matthew 26 31 Context

This verse is uttered by Jesus during the Last Supper discourse, following the institution of the Lord's Supper and His prediction of Judas's betrayal. It sets the immediate stage for His impending arrest, trial, and crucifixion in Gethsemane. The disciples, moments before, confidently declared their unwavering loyalty (Peter especially prominent in Mt 26:33-35). Jesus' words serve as a stark prophetic warning, contrasting their boasting with the predetermined reality of their failure. The setting is intimate yet somber, highlighting the transition from teaching to the actual Passion narrative, and signaling the imminent dark hour for Jesus and His followers. Historically, Jewish leaders (shepherds) were expected to protect the flock; Jesus here prophetically reverses this, showing that His suffering is part of God's divine plan, though it leads to the scattering of His disciples.

Matthew 26 31 Word analysis

• Then Jesus said to them: Establishes Jesus' authority and omniscience as the speaker, foretelling events unknown to the disciples.

• All of you: Greek: Pantes hymeis (πάντες ὑμεῖς). Emphasizes the universal nature of the impending failure among the disciples, underscoring that no one would be exempt from stumbling, challenging their confident assertions of loyalty.

• will be made to stumble: Greek: skandalisthēsesthe (σκανδαλισθήσεσθε). From skandalizō, meaning "to cause to fall, to cause to trip, to offend, to cause moral lapse." Here, it's a passive future tense, meaning they will be made to stumble, implying a divine hand or a situation beyond their immediate control that will test and ultimately expose their current spiritual weakness and fear. It denotes their flight and the temporary collapse of their faith/resolve, rather than a permanent loss of salvation.

• this very night: Specifies the immediacy and precise timing of the predicted event, heightening the tension.

• for it is written: Greek: gegraptai (γέγραπται). Perfect passive indicative of graphō ("to write"). Signifies a past action (the writing of the Scripture) with continuing results in the present, indicating its established and enduring authority and prophetic certainty. It links Jesus' words directly to divine revelation.

• "I will strike the shepherd...":

  • I will strike: Greek: pataxō (πατάξω). From patassō, meaning "to strike, smite, slay, attack." In Zech 13:7, this "I" is Yahweh, the Lord. This signifies that Jesus' suffering is part of God's sovereign plan, not a mere accident or defeat. The striking of the Shepherd leads directly to the sheep's dispersion.
  • the shepherd: Greek: ton poimena (τὸν ποιμένα). This refers directly to Jesus, establishing Him as the Messianic leader and protector of God's people. This imagery highlights His role as the guardian and provider, whose removal leads to disarray among His followers.
  • and the sheep of the flock will be scattered:
    • the sheep of the flock: Refers to Jesus' disciples, who rely on Him for guidance and protection. This traditional biblical metaphor depicts the people of God.
    • will be scattered: Greek: diaskorpisthēsontai (διασκορπισθήσονται). From diaskorpizō, "to disperse, to scatter in different directions." This accurately describes the disciples' panic and flight following Jesus' arrest, confirming the fulfillment of prophecy and the effect of losing their leader.

• "All of you will be made to stumble...for it is written...": This phrase connects their predicted personal failure directly to Old Testament prophecy. It indicates that their weakness is not surprising but divinely foreseen and purposeful. It underscores Jesus' full knowledge of His suffering and its immediate impact on His disciples, revealing His compassion even in their anticipated desertion. This linkage authenticates Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture and reveals God's ultimate control.

Matthew 26 31 Bonus section

The term "stumble" (skandalizō) also carries the nuance of being "offended" or finding cause for rejection. The disciples were indeed offended by Jesus' apparent weakness, arrest, and what seemed to them like the defeat of their messianic hopes. They expected a triumphant king, not a suffering servant who would be "smitten." This prophecy, therefore, directly addressed their profound spiritual confusion and disillusionment, reframing it as a foreseen and necessary part of God's design. This pre-telling helps affirm Jesus' divine identity even as human eyes might perceive failure. The "I will strike" in the Zechariah passage indicates that God Himself is the active agent in allowing the suffering of the Shepherd, aligning it with other prophecies of the suffering servant, who is "smitten by God" (Isa 53:4).

Matthew 26 31 Commentary

Matthew 26:31 serves as a profound statement of divine sovereignty, prophetic fulfillment, and the raw reality of human weakness. Jesus' declaration reveals His omniscience—He knows what will happen, including His disciples' abandonment. By quoting Zechariah 13:7, Jesus emphasizes that His impending "striking" (His suffering and death) is not an unforeseen tragedy but a purposeful act of God, woven into the fabric of redemption from eternity past. The "scattering" of the disciples is the direct consequence, revealing their human frailty despite their initial bold declarations. This highlights a crucial theological truth: God's plan unfolds perfectly even through human failure. It also foreshadows their later re-gathering and empowering by the resurrected Christ, transforming scattered sheep into bold apostles, underscoring that while they stumbled, they were not utterly destroyed. It prepares the reader for the seemingly dark moments of the Passion narrative by framing them as pre-ordained steps in God's redemptive work.

• Example: This prophecy comforts us when facing spiritual weaknesses, reminding us that God is aware and has a plan for restoration beyond our temporary falls.
• Example: It underscores that trials often reveal our true spiritual resolve, challenging us to rely more fully on Christ.