Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:56

What does Matthew 26:56 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:56 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:56 means

Jesus says all this happened so that the prophets’ scriptures might be fulfilled, and then the disciples all left him and fled. He repeats the theme of fulfillment to show divine purpose in suffering, even amidst human wrongdoing. The immediate flight of the disciples completes the prophecy of scattered sheep. Their desertion underscores human failure under pressure. The verse juxtaposes God’s sovereign plan and the disciples’ weakness, showing that fulfillment of Scripture does not excuse human sin but proceeds alongside it, leading to both fulfillment and moral culpability.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But all this has taken place so that the writings of the prophets might come true. Then all his disciples went from him in flight.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but all this hath come to pass, that the Writings of the prophets may be fulfilled;' then all the disciples, having left him, fled.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all leaving him, fled.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But all this is come to pass that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Context

This verse links the arrest scene to earlier prophetic references and recounts the disciples’ abandonment. It follows Jesus’ rhetorical challenge and sets the stage for his trial and Peter’s denial. For readers, the verse frames desertion as part of the tragic pattern of the passion: divine plan and human failure intertwined.

v.55In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.

v.56This passage

v.57And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 9:24

    Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

  • Matthew 26:31

    Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

  • John 18:8

    Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

  • John 18:15

    And Simon Peter followed Jesus, andso didanother disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;

  • Daniel 9:26

    And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.

  • Lamentations 4:20

    The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.

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