Matthew 26:56

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} all {G3650} this {G5124} was done {G1096}, that {G2443} the scriptures {G1124} of the prophets {G4396} might be fulfilled {G4137}. Then {G5119} all {G3956} the disciples {G3101} forsook {G863} him {G846}, and fled {G5343}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But all this has happened so that what the prophets wrote may be fulfilled." Then the talmidim all deserted him and ran away.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:56 encapsulates a profound moment in the Passion narrative, revealing the dual reality of divine sovereignty and human frailty. It declares that the events leading to Jesus' arrest were not chaotic but purposefully orchestrated to fulfill Old Testament prophecies, even as it starkly records the immediate and universal desertion of His disciples, highlighting the profound cost of discipleship and the limitations of human resolve.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to Jesus' encounter with the arresting party in the Garden of Gethsemane. Immediately preceding it, in [Matthew 26:54-55](/matthew/26-54-55 "Matthew 26:54-55 - Jesus' Willing Submission"), Jesus explicitly states that His non-resistance and refusal to call upon angelic legions are necessary "that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." This statement underscores His willing submission to God's predetermined plan rather than a lack of power. The verse then transitions abruptly from Jesus' theological explanation to the stark reality of His followers' abandonment, fulfilling a prophecy Jesus Himself had made earlier to His disciples in [Matthew 26:31](/matthew/26-31 "Matthew 26:31 - Jesus Foretells His Disciples' Scattering"), where He predicted they would all fall away because of Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of prayer and solitude that now becomes a scene of betrayal and arrest. Arrests in this period, particularly of perceived threats to religious or political order, were often swift and brutal. The disciples, being Galileans, were likely unaccustomed to such high-stakes confrontations in Jerusalem. Their flight reflects a natural human response to fear and the sudden, overwhelming display of force by the temple guard and Roman soldiers. In a culture where loyalty to a teacher or leader was paramount, the complete abandonment by "all the disciples" would have been a profoundly shameful and discrediting act, amplifying the perceived defeat of Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, emphasizing God's sovereign control over even the most chaotic human events. Jesus' suffering, betrayal, and the scattering of His followers were not random but part of a divine blueprint, echoing prophecies like those concerning the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant") and the smitten shepherd and scattered sheep in [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Smitten Shepherd"). This verse also powerfully highlights **Human Weakness and Desertion**, as the disciples, despite their earlier pledges of loyalty, succumb to fear. This serves as a sobering reminder of the limitations of human resolve without divine strength. Finally, it subtly reinforces **Jesus' Sovereignty and Purposeful Submission**; even in His arrest, He maintains control and perspective, viewing the events through the lens of God's perfect, redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **was done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come into being," "to happen," or "to become." In this context, it points to the divine orchestration of events. It's not merely that these things "occurred" by chance, but that they "came to pass" as part of a pre-ordained plan. The passive voice ("was done") implicitly points to God as the ultimate agent behind these occurrences, ensuring that His purposes are realized.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** Meaning "to make replete," "to complete," or "to accomplish," this word is crucial. It indicates that the prophetic utterances of the Old Testament were not merely referenced or alluded to, but brought to their complete and intended realization in the person and actions of Jesus. The events surrounding Jesus' arrest are presented as the precise and perfect culmination of God's revealed Word through the prophets.
* **forsook (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb means "to send forth," "to leave," "to abandon," or "to let go." Here, it conveys a decisive and complete act of abandonment by the disciples. It is a stark term, emphasizing that they did not merely stray or wander off, but actively and intentionally left Jesus in His hour of greatest need, breaking their previous vows of loyalty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."**: This initial clause serves as Jesus' interpretive key to the chaotic events unfolding around Him. "All this" refers to the entire sequence of His betrayal, arrest, and the subsequent suffering He is about to endure. The phrase "was done" (a divine passive) implies God's sovereign hand at work, not as a passive observer, but as the orchestrator. The purpose clause, "that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled," asserts that these seemingly random or tragic occurrences are, in fact, the precise and necessary culmination of God's ancient promises and predictions, particularly those found in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah's suffering and triumph.
* **"Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."**: This second clause presents the immediate and sobering consequence of Jesus' arrest. The temporal "Then" marks a swift transition from divine purpose to human failure. The phrase "all the disciples" emphasizes the universality of their desertion, highlighting the profound fear and weakness that overcame even those closest to Jesus. "Forsook him" indicates a complete abandonment of their master, while "and fled" underscores their hasty and fearful departure, leaving Jesus utterly alone in the hands of His captors. This action stands in stark contrast to their earlier boasts of loyalty and willingness to die with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:56 masterfully employs several literary devices. **Juxtaposition** is prominent, contrasting the divine, purposeful fulfillment of prophecy with the raw, fearful human failure of the disciples. This creates a powerful tension between God's unwavering plan and humanity's wavering commitment. The phrase "was done" and "might be fulfilled" utilizes a **Divine Passive**, subtly yet powerfully attributing the unfolding events to God's ultimate agency without explicitly naming Him as the subject, thereby emphasizing His sovereignty. Furthermore, the verse serves as a direct **Fulfillment** of earlier **Foreshadowing**, specifically Jesus' own prophecy in [Matthew 26:31](/matthew/26-31 "Matthew 26:31 - Jesus Foretells His Disciples' Scattering") regarding the scattering of His sheep. The disciples' flight also carries a tragic **Irony**, as those who pledged to die for Him abandon Him at the very moment His suffering begins, highlighting the gap between good intentions and the reality of the cross.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:56 is a theological linchpin, affirming God's absolute sovereignty over history and human actions, even those born of sin and weakness. It demonstrates that the Passion of Christ was not a tragic accident or a defeat, but the meticulously planned and divinely orchestrated climax of redemptive history, fulfilling centuries of prophetic anticipation. The disciples' desertion, while a poignant display of human frailty, paradoxically underscores the unique and solitary nature of Jesus' atoning work. He had to face the cross alone, not because His disciples were strong enough to stand with Him, but precisely because they were not, and because His sacrifice was for their weakness and the sin of the world. This moment emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's work, accomplished through Christ's perfect obedience, not through human faithfulness.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Luke 22:53](/luke/22-53 "Luke 22:53 - Jesus' Hour and the Power of Darkness")
* [John 16:32](/john/16-32 "John 16:32 - Jesus Predicts Disciples' Scattering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:56 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us that even in moments of profound chaos, betrayal, and suffering, God's sovereign purposes are being meticulously fulfilled. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem to contradict our expectations or when human failings abound. The disciples' desertion serves as a humbling mirror, revealing our own capacity for weakness, fear, and faltering faith in the face of adversity. It compels us to recognize our inherent limitations and to lean not on our own strength, but on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit for perseverance. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to extend grace to others who may stumble, knowing that our own faithfulness is often imperfect, and to find solace in the truth that God's redemptive work is never dependent on our unwavering strength, but on His unfailing faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility in this verse challenge or comfort you?**
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength rather than trusting in God's plan, especially during difficult times?**
* **How can the disciples' failure to stand with Jesus inform your understanding of grace and the call to extend it to others who falter?**

### FAQ

**What "scriptures of the prophets" are being referred to in Matthew 26:56?**

Answer: While Matthew does not specify particular verses here, the phrase "scriptures of the prophets" refers broadly to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering, betrayal, and death. Key prophetic themes and passages that find fulfillment in this moment include the suffering servant passages in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), particularly [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Silent Before His Accusers"), which depicts the Messiah as silent before His accusers, and [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Smitten Shepherd"), which prophesies the smiting of the shepherd and the scattering of the sheep. Jesus' own predictions of His suffering and the disciples' desertion (e.g., [Matthew 26:31](/matthew/26-31 "Matthew 26:31 - Jesus Foretells His Disciples' Scattering")) also fall under this umbrella, as His words are prophetic and divinely inspired. The point is that these events were not accidental but part of God's predetermined plan, revealed through His prophets.

**Why did "all the disciples" forsake Jesus and flee, despite their earlier promises of loyalty?**

Answer: The disciples' desertion, though disappointing, highlights the profound reality of human fear and weakness when confronted with overwhelming danger. Despite their sincere intentions and Peter's bold declaration in [Matthew 26:33-35](/matthew/26-33-35 "Matthew 26:33-35 - Peter's Boast and Denial"), their human resolve proved insufficient in the face of the armed multitude and the imminent threat to their own lives. This moment underscores the limitations of human strength without the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, which they would later receive at Pentecost (see [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost")). Their flight also served to fulfill Jesus' own prophecy in [Matthew 26:31](/matthew/26-31 "Matthew 26:31 - Jesus Foretells His Disciples' Scattering"), demonstrating that even their failure was part of God's sovereign plan to bring about redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:56 profoundly points to Christ by showcasing His unique and solitary path to redemption. While the disciples' flight reveals the utter failure of human faithfulness, it simultaneously magnifies the perfect, unwavering obedience of Jesus. He alone remained steadfast, enduring the betrayal and abandonment not out of helplessness, but out of resolute submission to His Father's will, as declared in [John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly"). This moment underscores that the work of atonement required a perfect, sinless sacrifice, one that no human, however well-intentioned, could provide. Jesus, the true Shepherd, willingly allowed Himself to be "smitten" (as prophesied in [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Smitten Shepherd")) so that His sheep, though scattered in fear, might ultimately be gathered into His fold under the New Covenant (see [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). His solitary suffering and the disciples' failure highlight that salvation is entirely a divine accomplishment, secured by Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, providing a righteousness that is imputed to us, not earned by our own strength (as seen in [Romans 5:18-19](/romans/5-18-19 "Romans 5:18-19 - Righteousness Through Christ")).

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.

John 16:32

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Mark 14:50

And they all forsook him, and fled.

Mark 14:52

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Matthew 26:31

¶ 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.

Matthew 26:54

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

2 Timothy 4:16

¶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.