27 ‘You will all fall away,’ Jesus told them, ‘for it is written:
‘“I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.”
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’
29 Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’
30 ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘today – yes, tonight – before the cock crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.’
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the others said the same.
See also: Matthew 26: 31-35; Luke 22: 31-33
Horsham: 13th November 2025
This short narrative is famous because of Peter’s declaration that he would not let Jesus down. ‘Even if I had to die with you, I will never disown you.‘ These five verses are about much more than that.
These verses are filled with prophecy. Jesus knows exactly what will happen.
Firstly, He knows that not just Peter, but all of his disciples will fall away. (Mark 14:50)
Secondly, he knows all about Peter. This is not just some fanciful guess. He knows exactly how that falling away will happen. ‘before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.’ (Mark 14:66-72)
Thirdly, Jesus knows all about his resurrection. According to Mark, this is at least the fourth time that he has told the disciples that this will happen. Now there is a key detail.‘ I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ (Mark 16:7)
These verses are filled with prophecy. Each and every one will be fulfilled.
End Piece
We should not for one moment question Peter’s integrity. We should not doubt his determination to stand by Jesus. I believe that the same should be said of all the disciples. Each and every one was determined to stand by Jesus. We will see in a later post the disproportionate size of the force which had been dispatched to arrest his. To the little band of disciples the force was going to be overwhelming. Even Jesus, who knew that he was about to be arrested, was surprised how many people were in the arrest party.
The fact is that Jesus knew that his followers would run for safety at the point of his arrest. He has already told them that He was the shepherd. He had already described them, his followers, as His sheep. Christ’s understanding of God’s will was unique. He knew that God’s word to Zechariah would be fulfilled. There was nothing that Peter or his friends could do about it. It was, after all, God’s plan.
For I will strike the Shepherd
And the sheep will be scattered.