Mark 14:27
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σκανδαλισθήσεσθε
shall be offended
G4624
σκανδαλισθήσεσθε
shall be offended
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
8 of 23
to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταύτη,
G3778
ταύτη,
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
14 of 23
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
15 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
16 of 23
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διασκορπισθήσεται
shall be scattered
G1287
διασκορπισθήσεται
shall be scattered
Strong's:
G1287
Word #:
21 of 23
to dissipate, i.e., (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander
Cross References
Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.Matthew 26:31Then 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.
Historical Context
Zechariah 13:7-9 prophesies a messianic refining through judgment. First-century rabbis debated whether Messiah would suffer; Jesus resolves this by applying suffering-servant texts to Himself. The disciples' desertion fulfilled prophecy while also demonstrating the humanity of those who would later become Spirit-empowered apostles.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' use of Zechariah 13:7 demonstrate that His death was God's plan, not human accident?
- What comfort does verse 28's promise provide when you experience spiritual failure?
- Why does God sometimes allow His people to experience failure before empowering them for ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All ye shall be offended because of me this night—Jesus predicts universal desertion using σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), meaning to cause to stumble or fall away. This wasn't speculation but prophetic certainty. For it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered quotes Zechariah 13:7, but with crucial modification: in Zechariah, God commands "smite the shepherd"; Jesus applies this to Himself, identifying as the shepherd whom God will strike.
The passive construction "shall be scattered" (διασκορπισθήσονται, diaskorpisthēsontai) indicates divine sovereignty—the disciples' flight wasn't merely human weakness but part of God's redemptive plan. Yet this prophecy also contains hope: scattered sheep can be regathered, which Jesus promises in verse 28. Peter's confident denial (v. 29) shows how little we understand our capacity for failure apart from grace.