Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 56
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Original Language Analysis
ὅλον
all
G3650
ὅλον
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
3 of 17
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
γέγονεν
was done
G1096
γέγονεν
was done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
πληρωθῶσιν
might be fulfilled
G4137
πληρωθῶσιν
might be fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
6 of 17
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφαὶ
the scriptures
G1124
γραφαὶ
the scriptures
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
8 of 17
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
of the prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
of the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
10 of 17
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
11 of 17
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
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.Matthew 26:54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?2 Timothy 4:16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.Acts 1:16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.Lamentations 4:20The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.Matthew 26:24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Historical Context
The disciples' flight fulfilled Scripture while demonstrating human weakness. Peter, who boasted 'I will never fall away' (26:33) and attacked with a sword (26:51), now fled. All who claimed willingness to die (26:35) scattered in terror. This shows that even genuine disciples can fail catastrophically under pressure. Yet Jesus's prayer (Luke 22:32) sustained Peter's faith through failure. The scattered disciples regathered after resurrection (Acts 1:13-14), showing God's grace overcomes human faithlessness. Their documented failure and restoration encourages all wavering disciples.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the disciples' complete desertion after bold promises warn against self-confident boasting about your faithfulness?
- What comfort does the disciples' restoration after failure provide when you've abandoned Christ in crisis?
Analysis & Commentary
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled (τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαὶ τῶν προφητῶν)—The phrase τοῦτο ὅλον ('all this, this whole event') encompasses the arrest, betrayal, desertion—everything. The perfect γέγονεν ('has happened, has come to pass') stresses completed reality. The purpose clause ἵνα πληρωθῶσιν ('in order that might be fulfilled') shows divine design, not accident. The Scriptures (αἱ γραφαί) of the prophets (τῶν προφητῶν) predicted these events—demonstrating God's sovereignty over history. Human evil fulfilled divine prophecy; wicked choices accomplished righteous purposes.
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled (τότε οἱ μαθηταὶ πάντες ἀφέντες αὐτὸν ἔφυγον)—The πάντες ('all') is emphatic: every disciple abandoned Jesus. The verb ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, 'to leave, to forsake, to abandon') shows complete desertion. The verb φεύγω (pheugō, 'to flee') indicates panicked escape. This fulfilled Jesus's prophecy quoting Zechariah 13:7: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered' (26:31). Their desertion wasn't ultimate apostasy but temporary failure—Jesus predicted both desertion and restoration (26:32; 28:10, 16).