Matthew 26:54

KJV

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

KJV (with Strong's)

But how {G4459} then {G3767} shall the scriptures {G1124} be fulfilled {G4137}, that {G3754} thus {G3779} it must {G1163} be {G1096}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But if I did that, how could the passages in the Tanakh be fulfilled that say it has to happen this way?"

Berean Standard Bible

But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

American Standard Version

How then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus poses a profound rhetorical question during His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following Peter's impulsive act of violence. His inquiry, "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" underscores the divine necessity and predetermined nature of His suffering and death, revealing His unwavering commitment to God's sovereign plan and the prophetic truth of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jesus' arrest in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/matthew/26-36-46 "Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus in Gethsemane"). Immediately preceding [Matthew 26:54](/matthew/26-54 "Matthew 26:54 - Fulfillment of Scripture"), Simon Peter, in a moment of misguided zeal, draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant ([Matthew 26:51](/matthew/26-51 "Matthew 26:51 - Peter's Rash Act")). Jesus rebukes Peter, instructing him to put away his sword, and then offers a profound statement about His ability to call "more than twelve legions of angels" ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus' Power and Submission")). It is in this context of immense power, yet voluntary restraint, that Jesus asks this rhetorical question. The question serves to explain *why* He does not resist His arrest, linking His present suffering directly to the prophetic word of God. This moment is a climactic point in Matthew's passion narrative, demonstrating Jesus' full awareness and willing submission to the Father's will, which He had already prayed for in the garden ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' arrest occurred at night, under the cover of darkness, following the Passover meal. This timing was significant, as Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and Jesus was about to become the ultimate Passover Lamb. The Jewish authorities, particularly the Sanhedrin, sought to arrest Jesus without causing a public disturbance, especially during a major festival when Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims. The presence of a "great multitude with swords and staves" ([Matthew 26:47](/matthew/26-47 "Matthew 26:47 - The Betrayal of Jesus")) indicates an official, albeit clandestine, operation sanctioned by the chief priests and elders. The idea of a "suffering Messiah" was largely counter-cultural to the prevailing Jewish expectation of a conquering, political Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule. Jesus' question about the fulfillment of scriptures directly challenges this popular misconception, asserting that His path of suffering was not a deviation but the divinely ordained course for the true Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Necessity and God's Sovereignty** over all events, even those seemingly chaotic or unjust. Jesus' suffering and death are not accidental but are part of God's unchangeable purpose, predestined to bring about salvation. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Fulfillment of Scripture**, a prominent theme throughout Matthew, who frequently points to Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled in Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. This moment confirms that even His capture and suffering were foretold, demonstrating the unwavering truth and prophetic accuracy of God's Word (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")). Lastly, it exemplifies Jesus' profound **Submission to God's Will**. Despite possessing immense power, Jesus willingly embraces the Father's plan, embodying the very essence of obedience, echoing His prayer in Gethsemane: "not as I will, but as thou wilt" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). This submission is foundational to understanding His redemptive work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **scriptures (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124, meaning "a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)." In this context, "scriptures" refers specifically to the Old Testament, which Jesus consistently upheld as the authoritative Word of God. His question points to the entire body of prophetic writings that foretold the Messiah's suffering, death, and resurrection.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc." Here, "fulfilled" carries the weight of prophetic verification. It signifies that the events unfolding are not random but are precisely aligning with God's pre-ordained plan as revealed in His Word, bringing the prophecies to their complete and intended conclusion.
* **must be (Greek, _deî'_ + _gínomai'_):** The combination of G1163 (_deî_), meaning "it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)," and G1096 (_gínomai_), meaning "to cause to be ('gen'-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being)," conveys a powerful sense of divine necessity and inevitability. It's not merely a prediction or a possibility, but an imperative from God's eternal counsel. These events are not happening by chance or human machination alone, but because they are divinely ordained and essential for the accomplishment of God's redemptive purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled,"**: This opening clause, introduced by "But how then," is a rhetorical question that Jesus poses not out of ignorance, but to highlight the absolute necessity of the events unfolding. It challenges His disciples and the arresting party to consider the deeper, divine purpose behind His non-resistance. He implies that any action to prevent His arrest—such as calling angels or resisting with force—would directly contradict and invalidate the prophecies concerning His suffering. The phrase "shall the scriptures be fulfilled" directly points to the Old Testament's prophetic witness regarding the Messiah's suffering and atoning death.
* **"that thus it must be?"**: This concluding clause reinforces the concept of divine necessity. The word "thus" (_hoútō_) refers to the manner of His arrest and subsequent suffering. The emphatic "it must be" (_deî gínomai_) signifies that this path is not optional but divinely ordained and absolutely essential for God's redemptive plan to unfold. Jesus' question is a declaration that His submission to arrest is not a sign of weakness or defeat, but the very means by which God's eternal purposes, as revealed in the Scriptures, are brought to their predestined completion.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:54 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Jesus does not ask this question seeking an answer, but rather to make a forceful point: His arrest and suffering are not accidental or preventable, but divinely necessary for the fulfillment of prophecy. This device compels the listener (and reader) to consider the inevitability of God's plan. There is also a strong element of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus explicitly links His current experience to the Old Testament Scriptures. This device is central to Matthew's Gospel, consistently demonstrating Jesus as the promised Messiah who perfectly embodies and fulfills God's ancient promises. Finally, there is a subtle **Irony** at play: while Peter attempts to prevent Jesus' capture through violence, Jesus reveals that this very capture, far from being a defeat, is the necessary means by which God's ultimate victory and redemptive plan will be achieved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:54 stands as a theological cornerstone, asserting the absolute sovereignty of God over human events and the unwavering reliability of His prophetic word. It reveals that Jesus' suffering was not a tragic accident but a divinely orchestrated necessity, central to God's plan of salvation. This concept of divine necessity (_deî_) permeates the New Testament, emphasizing that the cross was not a Plan B, but the very purpose for which Christ came. It underscores the profound truth that God's purposes are immutable and will be accomplished, even through the darkest moments of human history. This verse invites believers to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or contrary to human expectations, recognizing that His will is always perfect and ultimately leads to His glory and our good.

* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets")
* [Acts 3:18](/acts/3-18 "Acts 3:18 - God's Fulfillment of Prophecy")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3 - Christ Died According to the Scriptures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:54 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world often marked by chaos, injustice, and suffering. Jesus' calm submission to the divine will, even in the face of betrayal and imminent death, serves as a powerful model. It reminds us that God's sovereign plan is at work, even when circumstances seem to contradict our hopes or understanding. This verse calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's unfailing Word, recognizing that His prophecies are meticulously fulfilled, providing a firm foundation for our faith. Furthermore, it challenges us to embrace God's will in our own lives, even when it involves hardship, sacrifice, or goes against our natural inclinations. Just as Jesus' suffering was necessary for a greater purpose, our own trials can be avenues through which God accomplishes His redemptive work in us and through us, ultimately shaping us into the image of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' question about the fulfillment of scripture challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to trust that God's plan "must be" unfolding, even when it involves suffering or disappointment?**
* **How does the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection strengthen your confidence in the authority and reliability of the Bible?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper spirit of submission to God's will, even when it requires personal sacrifice or goes against your desires?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled" if He knew it had to happen?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not born of ignorance or doubt, but was a rhetorical device to emphasize the divine necessity of His suffering and arrest. He was not seeking an answer from Peter or the crowd, but rather making a profound theological statement. By posing the question, Jesus was:
* **Educating His Disciples:** He was reminding Peter and the others that His path was not accidental or a failure, but the fulfillment of God's ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah. This was crucial for them to understand the true nature of His mission.
* **Affirming God's Sovereignty:** He was declaring that God's plan, as revealed in the Scriptures, was immutable and would be accomplished. Any attempt to resist His arrest would directly contradict this divine purpose.
* **Demonstrating His Willing Submission:** Despite His power to resist ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus' Power to Call Angels")), His question underscored His voluntary submission to the Father's will, even unto death. It highlighted His obedience to the very end.
In essence, Jesus used the question to teach, to affirm, and to model His perfect alignment with God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:54 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' complete and willing submission to the Father's redemptive plan, which culminated in His atoning death and glorious resurrection. The "scriptures" that "must be fulfilled" are primarily the Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant, the Lamb of God, and the Messiah who would bear the sins of many. Jesus, as the incarnate Word, perfectly embodies these prophecies, demonstrating that His path to the cross was not a tragic misstep but the divinely ordained means by which God would reconcile humanity to Himself. His question in Gethsemane underscores that His suffering was not a defeat but a necessary act of obedience, fulfilling the law and the prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His death, He became the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26-28 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Sacrifice")), and His resurrection on the third day, also "according to the scriptures" ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")), validated His claim as Messiah and secured eternal life for all who believe. Thus, His submission in [Matthew 26:54](/matthew/26-54 "Matthew 26:54 - Fulfillment of Scripture") is the pivotal moment that unlocks the entire redemptive narrative, leading to the triumph of the cross and the empty tomb, offering hope and salvation to all humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Matthew 26:24

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

Luke 24:25

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Acts 1:16

Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Psalms 22:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

Psalms 22:31

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].