Mark 14:27

Mark 14:27 (KJV): "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."

Context

This poignant declaration by Jesus takes place during the Last Supper, immediately after He institutes the new covenant through the bread and wine, and just before they go to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus is speaking directly to His twelve disciples, knowing full well the events that are about to unfold. The atmosphere is solemn, charged with anticipation of His betrayal and impending suffering. This prophecy serves as a stark warning and preparation for the disciples, who would soon face the ultimate test of their faith and loyalty as their Master was arrested and crucified.

Key Themes

• Prophecy Fulfilled: Jesus explicitly states, "for it is written," directly quoting from Zechariah 13:7. This highlights the divine sovereignty and the predetermined nature of Christ's suffering and the disciples' temporary abandonment. It underscores that even the scattering of His followers was part of God's redemptive plan.
• The Suffering Shepherd: Jesus identifies Himself as the "shepherd" who will be "smitten." This powerful imagery points to His role as the spiritual leader and protector of His flock, who would endure violence and death for their sake. His suffering is central to His mission as the Good Shepherd.
• The Scattering of the Sheep: The "sheep" represent the disciples. Jesus' arrest and execution would cause them to lose their bearings, to fear for their lives, and to flee, fulfilling the prophecy. This predicts their temporary desertion and confusion, a direct consequence of the shepherd being struck.
• Stumbling and Offense: The term "offended" here does not mean merely annoyed, but rather "to stumble," "to fall away," or "to be caused to sin/lose faith." It speaks to the profound shock and disillusionment the disciples would experience, leading them to abandon Jesus in His hour of need.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "offended" is skandalizō (σκανδαλίζω). It literally means "to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may stumble or fall." In a spiritual sense, it means to cause someone to waver in their faith, to be led into sin, or to abandon their spiritual allegiance. Here, the events surrounding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion would serve as a profound "stumbling block" for the disciples' faith, causing them to falter and flee.

Cross-References

• This prophecy is also recorded in Matthew 26:31, emphasizing its importance in the Gospel narratives.
• The fulfillment of the scattering is evident in Mark 14:50, where it states, "And they all forsook him, and fled."
• Jesus had previously alluded to this scattering in John 16:32, saying, "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone."
• Despite the scattering, Jesus' post-resurrection appearances would restore the disciples, particularly Peter, who famously denied Him three times, demonstrating God's grace and ability to re-gather His flock.

Practical Application

Mark 14:27 teaches us several vital lessons:

1. Divine Foreknowledge: Jesus knew exactly what would happen, including the failure of His closest followers. This demonstrates His divine nature and the fact that God's plan unfolds even through human weakness and betrayal.
2. Human Frailty: The disciples' scattering reminds us of our own capacity for fear and failure, especially when facing severe trials or when our faith is challenged. It highlights that even sincere believers can stumble.
3. Grace and Restoration: While the disciples were scattered, this was not the end of their story. Jesus sought them out after His resurrection, restoring them and empowering them for future ministry. This offers hope that even after we stumble, God's grace is sufficient for restoration.
4. Understanding Suffering: The verse places Jesus' suffering within the context of ancient prophecy, helping us understand that His path to the cross was not a random tragedy but a predetermined act of salvation, central to God's redemptive purpose for humanity.