Outline/Summary
I will never disown you
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.” But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”
And all the other disciples said the same.
What the story means to us today
God is our leader
Jesus’ prophecy will be proven true. After just feeling the closeness and intimacy of the Last Supper with Jesus, it is surprising that the disciples would so quickly turn away from Jesus during his time of greatest need. But as Jesus said, “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.”
A flock will almost always fall away after its leader is struck down. It happens with business organizations, families, and even church congregations. A good leader makes the group coherent and stable. Unfortunately, unlike Jesus, human leaders are fallible. This is why we must always ensure we follow God’s will – not our boss, family leader, or even our preacher. Stay close to God and follow his lead.
Deeper thoughts and additional considerations
The disciples are still in the dark
Jesus repeatedly warned the disciples that he would soon be taken from Earth. Verses like Zechariah 2:11 tell us: “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.” These verses make it clear that God fully intended to live among his people in some form or another. Other verses make clear that Jesus will be taken from Earth.
But still, the disciples seem unable to grasp the severity of their situation. It is as if Jesus’ message goes right over their heads. Regardless, even if they had taken Jesus’ warning to heart and acted to protect him, Jesus’ death is a part of God’s plan and cannot be deflected.
Strike the shepherd to scatter the sheep
Jesus predicts the disciples will abandon him because Old Testament prophecy says, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Jesus is referring to Zechariah 13:7, which says,
“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me! Celclares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”
Although Jesus may have been hurt by the betrayal of his disciples, his announcement that “it is written” shows he was aware of what must happen.
The loneliness of Jesus
It’s heartbreaking to think that Jesus knew betrayal by the disciples was imminent. He knows that he will die and that his body will be left behind, leaving the disciples to return home to Galilee without their beloved Christ. But as Jesus foresaw, he would rise and meet them in Galilee before they even reached their homes. Jesus’ persecution, death, and the pain of betrayal are sad but will ultimately turn to joy after he is resurrected.
Why did Peter and the other disciples deny Jesus?
Peter and the other disciples denied Jesus just as he predicted. They did so mostly out of fear. Fear is a primary driver of human action. In most scenarios, fear serves to help us survive dangerous situations and likely helped the disciples survive persecution – for a time.
In situations such as this, it would require discipline and bravery to overcome fear and act as God expects. The disciples, however, did not have enough faith in Jesus to face the fear of death. Many would later die for their belief in him, but only after they witnessed his resurrection.
Bible text
NIV
31 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.’ k
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
NET Bible
26:31 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.’
26:32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 26:33 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 26:34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 26:35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing.
NKJV
31 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.’
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”
And so said all the disciples.
The Message
31–32 Then Jesus told them, “Before the night’s over, you’re going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says,
I’ll strike the shepherd;
helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered.
But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee.”
33 Peter broke in, “Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won’t.”
34 “Don’t be so sure,” Jesus said. “This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times.”
35 Peter protested, “Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you.” All the others said the same thing.
KJV
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. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Image Credits:
• The Last Supper by Carl Bloch via Carl Bloch with usage type - Public Domain, Late 19th Century
Featured Image Credit:
• The Last Supper by Carl Bloch via Carl Bloch with usage type - Public Domain, Late 19th Century