Mark 14:27 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus tells the disciples that all of them will stumble that night, fulfilling the prophecy that the sheep scatter when the shepherd is struck.
What Does Mark 14:27 Mean?
On the walk to the Mount of Olives Jesus tells the twelve plainly what the night will do to them: all of them will be offended — made to stumble, falling away. He grounds it in Zechariah 13:7: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
Notice who speaks in the prophecy: I will smite. The blow about to fall on the shepherd falls within the purpose of God (Isaiah 53:10). Jesus is not surprised by their coming failure, and he does not love them less for foreseeing it. He tells them in advance so that, when it happens, their collapse will not have the last word.
Mark 14:27 in the Original Language
skandalizo (σκανδαλίζω), 'be offended' -- to be made to stumble, to fall away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:27
What does Mark 14:27 mean?
Jesus tells the disciples that all of them will stumble that night, fulfilling the prophecy that the sheep scatter when the shepherd is struck.