Bible Strands
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.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples immediately after they finish singing a hymn and begin walking toward the Mount of Olives. He declares that they will all fall away that very night.
The words — σκανδαλισθήσεσθε (skandalisthēsesthe) literally means "you will fall away" or "be caused to stumble." Jesus uses this future passive verb to state the disciples' impending abandonment as a factual outcome.
The thread — Jesus cites Zechariah 13:7 to ground his prediction in the prophecy that God will strike the Shepherd and scatter the sheep. The same scattering theme appears in John 16:32 and Matthew 26:31.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that failure precedes restoration. It demands a clear-eyed acceptance of the warning before any subsequent promise of reunion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
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.
- 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 26:31 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.’
- John 16:1 “I have told you these things so that you will not fall away.
- 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them.
- Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.