Matthew 26:31-32
“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.”
King James Version
Jesus predicting the disciples' desertion quoting Zechariah, fulfilled when all fled in Gethsemane.
Fulfillment References
Zechariah 13:7 Matthew 26:56 Mark 14:50
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalJesus applies Zechariah 13:7 to Himself: 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.' Strikingly, in Zechariah it is the LORD's own sword that smites 'the man that is my fellow' — the smitten Shepherd is God in flesh. The Shepherd struck at the cross and the LORD who strikes are the one God accomplishing redemption.
JewishZechariah 13:7 speaks of a shepherd struck and the flock scattered and refined; read of judgment on failed leadership, not of the Messiah's passion.
CatholicThe Good Shepherd smitten and the disciples scattered, fulfilled in Gethsemane; the shepherd-and-sheep imagery of the Passion.
ProtestantJesus' citation of Zech. 13:7 foretells His arrest and the disciples' flight; the smitten Shepherd is Christ, raised to gather the flock again (v. 32).
AcademicMatthew has Jesus cite Zechariah 13:7 to interpret the disciples' desertion; the 'shepherd' application to Jesus reflects early Christian passion-apologetic.
Open the full interactive entry →
Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.