Matthew 26:31 - Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Zechariah 13:7
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 26:31" mean?
This verse in Matthew 26:31 (quoting Zechariah 13:7) is a prophecy fulfilled during Jesus's arrest and crucifixion. Let's break it down:
"Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight…’": Jesus is predicting that all his disciples will lose their faith and abandon him on the night of his arrest. The word "stumble" (or "fall away" in some translations) implies a temporary loss of faith, a lapse in their commitment to Jesus due to fear and confusion. It's not necessarily a complete and permanent rejection of Jesus, but a temporary failure of courage and belief.
"…for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’": Jesus then quotes the Old Testament prophet Zechariah to explain why this "stumbling" will happen. This is a direct prophecy of what will occur.
"I will strike the shepherd": In this context, "the shepherd" refers to Jesus himself. The "striking" represents his arrest, suffering, and crucifixion. God allowing Jesus to be struck, to suffer and die.
"…and the sheep of the flock will be scattered": "The sheep" are Jesus's disciples, and "scattering" refers to their fleeing and dispersing in fear when Jesus is arrested. They will abandon him in his moment of crisis because they are afraid for their own lives.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is a powerful example of how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. By quoting Zechariah, Jesus demonstrates that his suffering and death were part of God's plan, not just random events.
The Vulnerability of the Disciples: The verse highlights the human weakness and vulnerability of Jesus's followers. Despite their declarations of loyalty (as seen in the verses immediately following this one), they were not strong enough to withstand the trauma of Jesus's arrest and trial.
God's Plan: Despite the disciples' failure, God's plan for salvation continues. The scattering of the sheep is a temporary setback, not the end of the story.
Shepherd's Sacrifice: The striking of the shepherd, the sacrifice of Jesus, is ultimately for the good of the sheep. His death is the atonement for their sins, and it is through his sacrifice that they can be reconciled with God.
In essence, this verse foreshadows the events of the Passion narrative, emphasizing the human frailty of the disciples and the fulfillment of God's prophetic plan through Jesus's suffering and death. It shows that even in moments of apparent failure and abandonment, God's purpose is being accomplished.
Matthew 26:31 - Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Zechariah 13:7
What does "Matthew 26:31" mean?
This verse in Matthew 26:31 (quoting Zechariah 13:7) is a prophecy fulfilled during Jesus's arrest and crucifixion. Let's break it down:
"Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight…’": Jesus is predicting that all his disciples will lose their faith and abandon him on the night of his arrest. The word "stumble" (or "fall away" in some translations) implies a temporary loss of faith, a lapse in their commitment to Jesus due to fear and confusion. It's not necessarily a complete and permanent rejection of Jesus, but a temporary failure of courage and belief.
"…for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’": Jesus then quotes the Old Testament prophet Zechariah to explain why this "stumbling" will happen. This is a direct prophecy of what will occur.
"I will strike the shepherd": In this context, "the shepherd" refers to Jesus himself. The "striking" represents his arrest, suffering, and crucifixion. God allowing Jesus to be struck, to suffer and die.
"…and the sheep of the flock will be scattered": "The sheep" are Jesus's disciples, and "scattering" refers to their fleeing and dispersing in fear when Jesus is arrested. They will abandon him in his moment of crisis because they are afraid for their own lives.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is a powerful example of how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. By quoting Zechariah, Jesus demonstrates that his suffering and death were part of God's plan, not just random events.
The Vulnerability of the Disciples: The verse highlights the human weakness and vulnerability of Jesus's followers. Despite their declarations of loyalty (as seen in the verses immediately following this one), they were not strong enough to withstand the trauma of Jesus's arrest and trial.
God's Plan: Despite the disciples' failure, God's plan for salvation continues. The scattering of the sheep is a temporary setback, not the end of the story.
Shepherd's Sacrifice: The striking of the shepherd, the sacrifice of Jesus, is ultimately for the good of the sheep. His death is the atonement for their sins, and it is through his sacrifice that they can be reconciled with God.
In essence, this verse foreshadows the events of the Passion narrative, emphasizing the human frailty of the disciples and the fulfillment of God's prophetic plan through Jesus's suffering and death. It shows that even in moments of apparent failure and abandonment, God's purpose is being accomplished.