New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 26:31

The Last Supper

Then Jesus said to 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 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 26:31, in plain English

Jesus tells them plainly: tonight, every one of you will fall away because of Me. He quotes the prophet: the shepherd will be struck and the sheep scattered.

Why it's here

Jesus knows that even the people who love Him most will run when it gets hard. He does not hold it against them — He simply tells the truth.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks to all His disciples with painful honesty about what the night will bring.

Where it sits in the story

He loves them enough to warn them, and He knows them well enough to know they will not listen.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus predicts the disciples' collective desertion (skandalisthesesthe) and cites Zechariah 13:7 — 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'

Language and setting

The Zechariah citation frames Jesus' death as divinely orchestrated: God Himself strikes the shepherd. The verb skandalizo implies a faith-crisis, not mere physical abandonment.

Voice

Jesus speaks prophetically to all His disciples, quoting the prophet Zechariah.

Significance

Jesus names what is coming with unflinching honesty — everyone will fall away. He does not soften the blow or exclude anyone from the prediction.

In context

Matthew 26:29–33

29I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to 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.’

32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

Read all of Matthew 26 — Bread broken. Wine poured. A betrayal predicted. The longest night in history begins around a table.

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