Matthew 26:31
New International Version
Then Jesus told 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.’

New Living Translation
On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

English Standard Version
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Berean Standard Bible
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.’

Berean Literal Bible
Then Jesus says to them, "You all will fall away because of Me during this night. For it has been written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

New American Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED.’

NASB 1995
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’

NASB 1977
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’

Amplified Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night [disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me], for it is written [in the Scriptures], ‘I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED.’

Christian Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

American Standard Version
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus said to his disciples, "During this very night, all of you will reject me, as the Scriptures say, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'

English Revised Version
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will abandon me tonight. Scripture says, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep in the flock will be scattered.'

Good News Translation
Then Jesus said to them, "This very night all of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, 'God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

International Standard Version
Then Jesus told them, "All of you will turn against me this very night, because it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Majority Standard Bible
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.’

NET Bible
Then Jesus said to them, "This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

New Heart English Bible
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.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Then saith Jesus to 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.

Weymouth New Testament
Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.'

World English Bible
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.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then Jesus says to them, “All you will be stumbled at Me this night; for it has been written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad;

Berean Literal Bible
Then Jesus says to them, "You all will fall away because of Me during this night. For it has been written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Young's Literal Translation
then saith Jesus to them, 'All ye shall be stumbled at me this night; for it hath been written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad;

Smith's Literal Translation
Then says Jesus to them, All ye shall be scandalized in me this night; for it has been written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered up and down.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Jesus said to them: “You will all fall away from me in this night. For it has been written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

New American Bible
Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’;

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Jesus said to them, All of you will deny me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of his flock will be scattered.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Yeshua said to them, “All of you will be offended at me this night, for it is written: 'I shall strike The Shepherd, and the sheep of his flock will be scattered.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Jesus said to them: All of you will he offended at me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.

Godbey New Testament
Then Jesus says to them, You will all be offended in me this night: for it has been written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.

Haweis New Testament
Then saith Jesus unto them, Ye all will be offended at me this night: for it is written, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

Mace New Testament
then said Jesus to them, I shall be the occasion of your revolting all from me this night: for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered."

Weymouth New Testament
Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.'

Worrell New Testament
Then Jesus saith to them, "All ye will be made to stumble because of Me this night; for it has been written, 'I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad.'

Worsley New Testament
Then saith Jesus unto them, Ye will all take offence at me this night; for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered:"

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
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.”…

Cross References
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Mark 14:27
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

John 16:32
“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

Matthew 26:56
But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Matthew 26:69-75
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. / But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” / When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ...

Luke 22:31-34
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. / But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” / “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” ...

John 13:36-38
“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” / “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

John 18:15-18
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. / At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered. ...

John 18:25-27
Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” / One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” / Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Acts 2:25-28
David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. / Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope, / because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. ...

Acts 2:31-32
Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. / God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.

1 Peter 2:25
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Isaiah 53:6
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Jesus to them, All you 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.

All.

Matthew 26:56
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Matthew 11:6
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Matthew 24:9,10
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake…

I will.

Isaiah 53:10
Yet 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.

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, 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.

and the.

Job 6:15-22
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; …

Job 19:13-16
He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me…

Psalm 38:11
My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

Jump to Previous
Abroad Account Death Directions Fail Fall Fidelity Flock Jesus Keeper Night Offended Scattered Sheep Shepherd Smite Strike Stumble Stumbled Tonight Turned Writings Written
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Abroad Account Death Directions Fail Fall Fidelity Flock Jesus Keeper Night Offended Scattered Sheep Shepherd Smite Strike Stumble Stumbled Tonight Turned Writings Written
Matthew 26
1. Jesus foretells his own death.
3. The rulers conspire against him.
6. The woman anoints his feet.
14. Judas bargains to betray him.
17. Jesus eats the Passover;
26. institutes his holy supper;
30. foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36. prays in the garden;
47. and being betrayed by a kiss,
57. is carried to Caiaphas,
69. and denied by Peter.














Then Jesus said to them
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as Jesus directly addresses His disciples. The Greek word for "said" is "εἶπεν" (eipen), indicating a solemn declaration. Jesus, fully aware of the events to come, speaks with authority and foreknowledge. This moment underscores His role as the divine teacher and prophet, preparing His followers for the imminent trials.

This very night
The specificity of "this very night" highlights the immediacy and urgency of Jesus' prophecy. The Greek word "ταύτῃ" (tautē) emphasizes the exact timing, indicating that the events will unfold within hours. This serves to remind the disciples—and us—of the precision of God's plan and the fulfillment of prophecy in real time.

you will all fall away
The phrase "fall away" is translated from the Greek "σκανδαλισθήσεσθε" (skandalisthēsesthe), which means to stumble or be offended. This indicates a temporary failure of faith among the disciples, a moment of weakness that Jesus foresees. It serves as a humbling reminder of human frailty and the need for divine grace and strength.

on account of Me
Here, Jesus acknowledges that the disciples' stumbling is directly related to their association with Him. The Greek "ἐν ἐμοί" (en emoi) suggests a deep connection between the disciples' actions and their relationship with Christ. This phrase emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the challenges that come with following Jesus, especially in times of trial.

For it is written
This phrase introduces a quotation from Scripture, underscoring the fulfillment of prophecy. The Greek "γέγραπται" (gegraptai) is a perfect tense verb, indicating that what was written in the past has ongoing relevance and authority. Jesus' use of Scripture here affirms the reliability and divine inspiration of the Old Testament.

‘I will strike the Shepherd
This part of the prophecy is a direct reference to Zechariah 13:7. The "Shepherd" symbolizes Jesus Himself, the leader and protector of His flock. The striking of the Shepherd signifies the suffering and crucifixion that Jesus is about to endure. It highlights the sacrificial nature of His mission and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
The "sheep" represent the disciples, who will be dispersed in fear and confusion following Jesus' arrest. The imagery of scattering sheep is a common biblical metaphor for disarray and vulnerability. This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the disciples' impending abandonment of Jesus, yet it also foreshadows their eventual restoration and the gathering of the Church. The scattering is not the end, but a part of the divine plan leading to resurrection and renewal.

(31) All ye shall be offended because of me.--We may think of the words as spoken at some early stage of that evening walk. It corresponds in substance with John 16:32, but seems to have been uttered more abruptly.

I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.--The citation of this prophecy, from Zechariah 13:7. is every way suggestive, as showing that our Lord's thoughts had dwelt, and that He led the disciples to dwell, on that chapter as applicable to Himself. To one who dealt with prophecy as St. Matthew dealt with it, much in that chapter that is perplexing to the historical critic would be full of divinest meaning. It told of a "fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness;" of One with "wounds" in His hands, who was "wounded in the house of His friends;" of the Shepherd to whom Jehovah spake as to His "fellow."

Verse 31. - Then saith Jesus. The warning, according to the other evangelists, was given in the upper chamber, unless, as is very unlikely, it was twice repeated (see Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38). The "then" of St. Matthew must not be taken strictly as denoting exact chronological sequence, but as marking a change of scene or a new incident. All ye shall be offended because of me (ἐν ἐμοί, in me). There is an emphasis on "all ye;" even ye eleven, who have been steadfast hitherto. One, Judas, had already departed; but Christ warns the eleven that they too shall for a time lose their faith in him, and sin by forsaking their Lord. His apprehension and trial would prove a rock of offence to them. It is written. In Zechariah 13:7, where the prophet's words are, "Awake, 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." It is here shown that all that happened took place according to "the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." That Christ may be the Saviour he must be a sacrifice. In Zechariah the Lord gives the command to the sword; hence Christ can say, I will smite. The Shepherd is Christ, the sheep are the disciples, who, at the sight of the officers coming to seize him, "all forsook him, and fled" (ver. 56). The prophecy in Zechariah is remarkably full of references to Christ, his nature and his position.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“This
ταύτῃ (tautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

very
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

night
νυκτὶ (nykti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

will all fall away
σκανδαλισθήσεσθε (skandalisthēsesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4624: From skandalon; to entrap, i.e. Trip up (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure).

on account of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is written:
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

‘I will strike
Πατάξω (Pataxō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3960: To smite, strike (as with a sword), smite to death, afflict. Probably prolongation from paio; to knock.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

shepherd,
ποιμένα (poimena)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4166: A shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd.

and
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sheep
πρόβατα (probata)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

flock
ποίμνης (poimnēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4167: A flock (of sheep or goats). Contraction from poimaino; a flock.

will be scattered.’
διασκορπισθήσονται (diaskorpisthēsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1287: From dia and skorpizo; to dissipate, i.e. to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander.


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