Matthew 26:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yeshua then said to them, "Tonight you will all lose faith in me, as the Tanakh says, `I will strike the shepherd dead, 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.’

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G5119} saith^{G3004} Jesus^{G2424} unto them^{G846}, All^{G3956} ye^{G5210} shall be offended^{G4624} because^{G1722} of me^{{G1722}{G1698}} this^{G5026} night^{G3571}: for^{G1063} it is written^{G1125}, I will smite^{G3960} the shepherd^{G4166}, and^{G2532} the sheep^{G4263} of the flock^{G4167} shall be scattered abroad^{G1287}.

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Commentary for Matthew 26:31

Matthew 26:31 is a verse set within the narrative of the Last Supper, a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Matthew, just before Jesus is betrayed and arrested. In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, foretelling a dire event that will unfold that very night. The themes here are profound and multifaceted, touching on prophecy, betrayal, human weakness, and divine plan.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Passover festival, which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. During this period, Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem, and the city is teeming with pilgrims. It is a time of heightened religious fervor and political tension under Roman occupation.

In the text, Jesus quotes a prophecy from the Old Testament, specifically Zechariah 13:7, which speaks of a shepherd being struck and the sheep being scattered. By invoking this prophecy, Jesus identifies himself as the shepherd who will be struck down—a reference to his impending crucifixion. The scattering of the sheep symbolizes the dispersion of his followers, predicting their abandonment of him in the face of danger and persecution. This scattering is a fulfillment of scripture and underscores the theme of Jesus' mission being in accordance with divine will, even when it leads to suffering and apparent defeat.

The verse also speaks to the human condition, highlighting the disciples' vulnerability to fear and their subsequent failure to stand with Jesus. Despite their close relationship with him and their promises of loyalty, Jesus acknowledges that they will all falter. This serves as a sobering reminder of human frailty and the tendency to forsake one's convictions under pressure, a universal theme that resonates beyond the immediate biblical context.

In summary, Matthew 26:31 encapsulates the tension between divine destiny and human fallibility. It foretells the dispersion of Jesus' followers, foreshadowing the trials and tribulations that will follow his arrest. It also reinforces the notion of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and sets the stage for the redemptive narrative of the Passion, which is central to Christian theology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G5119
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τότε
   Transliteration: tóte
   Pronunciation: tot'-eh
   Description: from (the neuter of) ὁ and ὅτε; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3956
   There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πᾶς
   Transliteration: pâs
   Pronunciation: pas
   Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5210
   There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμεῖς
   Transliteration: hymeîs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mice'
   Description: irregular plural of σύ; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4624
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σκανδαλίζω
   Transliteration: skandalízō
   Pronunciation: skan-dal-id'-zo
   Description: from σκάνδαλον; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):--(make to) offend.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1698
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐμοί
   Transliteration: emoí
   Pronunciation: em-oy'
   Description: a prolonged form of μοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5026
    There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταύτῃ
    Transliteration: taútēi
    Pronunciation: tow'-tace
    Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
    
11. Strong's Number: G3571
    There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: νύξ
    Transliteration: nýx
    Pronunciation: noox
    Description: a primary word; "night" (literally or figuratively):-- (mid-)night.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1063
    There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γάρ
    Transliteration: gár
    Pronunciation: gar
    Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1125
    There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γράφω
    Transliteration: gráphō
    Pronunciation: graf'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).
    
14. Strong's Number: G3960
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατάσσω
    Transliteration: patássō
    Pronunciation: pat-as'-so
    Description: probably prolongation from παίω; to knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally):--smite, strike. Compare τύπτω.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4166
    There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιμήν
    Transliteration: poimḗn
    Pronunciation: poy-mane'
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):--shepherd, pastor.
    
16. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
17. Strong's Number: G4263
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρόβατον
    Transliteration: próbaton
    Pronunciation: prob'-at-on
    Description: probably neuter of a presumed derivative of προβαίνω; something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively):--sheep(-fold).
    
18. Strong's Number: G4167
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποίμνη
    Transliteration: poímnē
    Pronunciation: poym'-nay
    Description: contraction from ποιμαίνω; a flock (literally or figuratively):--flock, fold.
    
19. Strong's Number: G1287
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διασκορπίζω
    Transliteration: diaskorpízō
    Pronunciation: dee-as-kor-pid'-zo
    Description: from διά and σκορπίζω; to dissipate, i.e. (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander:--disperse, scatter (abroad), strew, waste.