Matthew 26:31
“Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’”
What does Matthew 26:31 mean?
Jesus is warning his disciples that something difficult is about to happen, and their faith will be tested in ways they're not expecting. He's quoting an Old Testament passage (from Zechariah 13:7) to help them understand that his arrest and suffering aren't a surprise to God, even though they will feel shocking and disorienting to those who follow him. The image of a shepherd being struck and sheep scattering reflects what will happen within hours: Jesus will be arrested, and his disciples will flee in fear and confusion. This isn't meant as harsh judgment but as honest preparation, so they'll know that their panic and doubt in the coming crisis don't mean God has abandoned them. What feels like abandonment is actually part of God's plan unfolding.