Matthew 26:31
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.
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 25
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 25
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 25
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 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
σκανδαλισθήσεσθε
shall be offended
G4624
σκανδαλισθήσεσθε
shall be offended
Strong's:
G4624
Word #:
8 of 25
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 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταύτῃ·
G3778
ταύτῃ·
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
14 of 25
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
15 of 25
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γάρ,
for
G1063
γάρ,
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διασκορπισθήσεται
shall be scattered abroad
G1287
διασκορπισθήσεται
shall be scattered abroad
Strong's:
G1287
Word #:
21 of 25
to dissipate, i.e., (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόβατα
the sheep
G4263
πρόβατα
the sheep
Strong's:
G4263
Word #:
23 of 25
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
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.Psalms 69:20Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.Psalms 38:11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Psalms 88:18Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.Matthew 11:6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.Lamentations 1:19I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.Matthew 26:56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Historical Context
Zechariah 13:7 was recognized as messianic prophecy in first-century Judaism. The 'smitten shepherd' connected to Isaiah 53's suffering servant. Jesus's citation showed the disciples that their coming failure was both prophesied and necessary to the divine plan, though not excusing their cowardice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's forewarning of the disciples' failure demonstrate pastoral care even in crisis?
- What does the fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7 teach about Christ bearing God's wrath for sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
All ye shall be offended because of me this night (πάντες ὑμεῖς σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, pantes hymeis skandalisthēsesthe en emoi en tē nykti tautē)—The verb skandalizō means 'to cause to stumble, fall away.' Jesus prophesies total apostasy: all would temporarily abandon Him, fulfilling divine necessity while indicting human weakness.
Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered. God Himself strikes the shepherd (depicting Christ's death under divine wrath for sin), causing the sheep's scattering. This isn't mere persecution but the prophesied moment when God's Lamb bears iniquity, isolating Him even from His closest followers.