Topical Encyclopedia
The prophecy concerning the disciples forsaking Jesus Christ is a significant aspect of the Messianic predictions found in the Old Testament, which is fulfilled in the New Testament narrative. This prophecy underscores the human frailty and fear that even the closest followers of Christ experienced during His time of trial and suffering.
Old Testament ProphecyThe prophecy that the disciples would forsake Jesus is rooted in the words of the prophet Zechariah. In
Zechariah 13:7, it is written: "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." This passage metaphorically describes the coming events where the Shepherd, representing the Messiah, would be struck, leading to the scattering of His followers, the sheep.
New Testament FulfillmentThe fulfillment of this prophecy is explicitly recorded in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, which detail the events surrounding the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 26:31, Jesus Himself references the prophecy from Zechariah, saying to His disciples, "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.'"
The fulfillment occurs shortly thereafter, as described in
Matthew 26:56: "But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled. This moment of abandonment highlights the fulfillment of the prophetic word and the human weakness that even the most devoted followers of Christ exhibited in the face of fear and uncertainty.
Additional Gospel AccountsThe Gospel of Mark also records this event, emphasizing the fulfillment of the prophecy. In
Mark 14:27, Jesus tells His disciples, "You will all fall away, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'" The narrative continues to describe how, after Jesus' arrest, "everyone deserted Him and fled" (
Mark 14:50).
Similarly, the Gospel of John provides an account of the disciples' fear and confusion during the arrest of Jesus. Although John does not explicitly quote the prophecy from Zechariah, the actions of the disciples align with the predicted scattering. In
John 16:32, Jesus foretells, "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."
SignificanceThe fulfillment of this prophecy serves as a poignant reminder of the foreknowledge and sovereignty of God in the redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. It also illustrates the profound truth that, despite human frailty and failure, God's purposes prevail. The scattering of the disciples, while a moment of weakness, ultimately leads to their restoration and empowerment through the Holy Spirit, as seen in the subsequent chapters of the New Testament.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 26:31,56Then said Jesus to them, All you 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Introductory Notice Respecting Tauler's Life and Times
... prove that the numerous legends and prophecies current in ... refuge in my only consolation,
Christ Jesus, if ... All that we can discover respecting the commencement ...
/.../introductory notice respecting taulers life.htm
A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... That the first is true consider, Christ says to his disciples, 'There are ... beginning
who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.' (John 4:64 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm
part i
... them enter into his heart, which Jesus Christ alone ought to ... do not ascribe them
with my whole heart to Him. ... becomes jealous of the glory of His righteous, ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm
part ii
... malice"do not themselves know what they do, as the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ
knew not what they did when they persecuted Him all His life and at last ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm
Resources
How can I identify messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.orgWhat biblical prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70? | GotQuestions.orgProphecies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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