JESUS PREPARES HIS DISCIPLES FOR THE CROSS

Passage: Matthew 26:31-35

Key verse: 32

NIV

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(A)

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,(B) for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[a](C)

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(D)

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(E)

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you,(F) I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 26:31 Zech. 13:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will (A)strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, (B)I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 (C)Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 (D)Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, (E)before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 (F)Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. You will all run away (31-32)

Jesus told his disciples that on that very night the shepherd would be struck and the flock would scatter. This fulfilled Zechariah 13:7. Jesus also gave them a promise: 'After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.' This was a promise of resurrection and a promise to meet them again. But the disciples were so preoccupied with their own sorrow that they didn't listen to what Jesus was saying.

2. 'I will never run away' (33-35)

Peter was confident of his own love for Jesus and confident of his loyalty. But Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. Peter was hurt by Jesus' suggestion that he would disown Jesus. But Jesus was preparing him for failure and opening a door for his repentance and return.

Prayer: Lord, I don't want to betray Jesus, but I am very weak. O Risen Jesus, come and dwell with me and help me to be faithful to death.

One Word: The Risen Jesus is our good shepherd