Matthew 26:31-35
Jesus knows His sheep will scatter, yet He promises to rise and lead them again.
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.’
32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
33 But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
Jesus knows his sheep will scatter, yet he promises to rise and lead them again.
Matthew presents Jesus foretelling the disciples' imminent failure through Scripture while also promising resurrection and restored leadership before their collapse occurs.
The Mount of Olives on the night of the Passover meal, immediately before Gethsemane, arrest, trial, and Peter's denial. The unit stands within the passion sequence, where Jesus moves toward the cross under Scripture's fulfillment while his followers are exposed as weak and in need of the mercy his death will secure.
The Betrayal, Passover, Gethsemane, Trial, and Denial of Jesus
Jesus willingly enters betrayal, abandonment, false judgment, and death as the obedient Son who fulfills Scripture, gives his body, pours out his covenant blood for the forgiveness of sins, and submits to the Father’s will while his disciples fail and his enemies condemn him.