strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter

Peter recognizes that death lies ahead for Jesus and maybe for himself too. See 26:69-75 for Peter’s denial of Jesus.ģ5 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing. The point is that Peter will deny Jesus three times before the night is over. However, the rooster crow was especially identified with dawn (e.g., Virg.

Roosters crow throughout the day and night, not just at daybreak. Without repentance (a change of heart followed by right action), both remain equally damning. One may either deny or betray Christ and be forgiven if one genuinely repents. So the difference between Peter and Judas lies primarily in their subsequent behavior. Peter’s impulsive denial of Jesus is obviously not as treacherous as Judas’s premeditated betrayal, but Jesus has already said that any who disown him “before men” he will disown before his Heavenly Father (10:33).

“To deny” (ἀπαρνεῖσθαι) is related either to something that is given or to a person with authority, and it means “to dispute, disavow, disown, say no, repudiate, renounce.” 2 58) but then deny him three times.ģ4 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He will boldly follow Jesus at a distance (v. In fact, Peter will be more disloyal than the other ten disciples. Peter and the disciples do not respond to this verse.ģ3 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” This verse implies the disciples will restore their relationship with Jesus after the resurrection. “Go ahead” could mean Jesus will lead them or that he will arrive in Galilee before they do, but 28:10 supports the latter interpretation. 1ģ2 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” This is closely connected to Ezek 34 and the false “shepherds of Israel” (= Zech 11:4–17) behind Matt 9:36, where Jesus had compassion for the crowds “because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.” The disciples will become one with the nation of Israel in being “scattered.” When Jesus, the true shepherd of Israel, is struck and killed, the disciples will scatter to the winds and join Israel in “apostasy.” Zechariah 13:7 centers on the apostasy of the nation in deserting God, and the disciples will reenact that “falling away.” In one sense, Zech 13:7 functions as a superscription to the passion events-the fleeing of the disciples (scattering of the sheep), the arrest of Jesus (Matt 26:50), and the smiting of the shepherd. The messianic figure of the shepherd being rejected and killed is undoubtedly central for Jesus’ understanding of the events to come (along with Isa 53). In Zechariah God is calling on a “sword” to strike the “shepherd” of Israel (who is God’s associate) and to scatter the “sheep” (= the nation). “I” refers to God, who is behind the events that follow, the “shepherd” is Jesus, who will be killed (27:32-56), and the “sheep” are the disciples (26:56). The phrase “because of me” means the disciples will recognize being associated with Jesus is dangerous. The disciples will “fall away” or “stumble” in the sense of temporarily abandoning their discipleship. 30) and before the arrival at Gethsemane (v.36). This conversation takes place after the departure for the Mount of Olives (v. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter