Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 26:56
But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
56. all this was done, &c.] These are probably the words of Christ, and not a reflection by the Evangelist (cp. Mar 14:49); if so, they were, for most of the disciples, their Master’s last words.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Mat 26:56
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
The causes, signs, evils, and cure of backsliding
I. Its causes.
1. Opposition and fear of injury from those who are the enemies of religion.
2. A too frequent and uniform conformity and intercourse with the world.
3. Self-confidence in spiritual gifts and attainments.
4. A neglect of the private duties of religion.
II. Its signs.
1. It is testified by signs which do not amount to that flagrant and public departure from the gospel which frequently is displayed.
(1) A relinquishment of public labour in the church;
(2) an irregular attendance upon public ordinances;
(3) a spirit of inattention and carelessness under these ordinances;
(4) an indulgence in social life of useless conversation.
2. Signs which do amount to a positive and public departure from the religion of the cross.
III. Its evils.
1. As they affect the individuals themselves.
2. As they affect the Church.
(1) They discourage others just setting forth in the way of religion;
(2) they lead others to sin;
(3) they cause mockery of religion.
IV. The cure.
1. Call to mind the times of former devotedness.
2. Contemplate the intense guilt of the act.
3. Resolve to forsake the transgression by which it has been brought about.
4. Connect all our convictions.and emotions with prayer for the influence of the Holy Spirit. (J. Parsons.)
Apostasy
Here we see four things.
I. Base ingratitude.
1. They had received special favours from Him.
2. They were under the greater obligation.
3. Tendency of gratitude to bind to benefactor.
II. Rash impulsiveness, probably roused by
(1) disappointment;
(2) alarm.
III. Involuntary influence. One fled, then all fled. This should
(1) act as incentive to become thoroughly sound in character;
(2) make us cautious as to associations we form.
IV. False policy. Doing wrong to save the body
(1) injures the soul;
(2) endangers it. Learn-
(a) importance of cherishing a practical impression of our obligations to Christ;
(b) of cultivating the habit of acting from intelligent conviction;
(c). of habitually realizing the principle, that the path of duty is the path of safety.. (Homilist.)
Fickle friends
The bees were haunting the flowering trees in crowds, humming among the branches, and gathering honey in the flowers. Said Gotthold, Here is an image of temporal prosperity, So long as there is blossom on the trees, and honey in the blossom, the bees will frequent them in crowds, and fill the place with their music; but when the blossom is over, and the honey gone, they too will disappear. The same happens in the world, among men. In the abodes of fortune and pleasure, friends will be found in plenty, but when fortune flys away, they depart along with it. Temporal gain is the worlds honey, and the allurement with which you may entice it whithersoever you will; but where the gain terminates, there likewise do the love and friendship of the world stop. For this reason let all good men be advised to fly to Christ crucified, who never forsakes in their distress those who truly seek Him.
The sin of apostasy
Disheartened by the extraordinary dangers and difficulties of their enterprize, a Roman army lost courage, and resolved on a retreat. The general reasoned with his soldiers. Expostulating with them, he appealed to their love of country, to their honour, and to their oaths. By all that could revive a fainting heart he sought to animate their courage and shake their disgraceful resolution. Much they trusted, admired, loved him; but his appeals were all in vain. They were not to be moved; and, carried away as by a panic, they faced round to retreat. At this juncture they were forcing a mountain-pass, and had just cleared a gorge where the road, between two stupendous rocks on one side and the foaming river on the other, was but a footpath broad enough for the step of a single man. As a last resort he laid himself down there, saying, If you will retreat, it is over this body you go, trampling me to death beneath your feet. No foot advanced. The flight was arrested. His soldiers could face the foe, but they could not mangle beneath their feet one who loved them, and who had often led their ranks to victory, sharing like a common soldier all the hardships of the campaign, and ever foremost in the fight. The sight was one to inspire them with decision. Hesitating no longer to advance, they wheeled round to resume their march; deeming it better to meet sufferings, and endure even death itself, than to trample under foot their devoted and patriotic leader. Their hearts recoiled from such an outrage. But for such as have named the name of Christ not to depart from iniquity, for such as have enlisted under His banner to go back to the world, for such as have renounced sin to return to its pleasures, involves a greater crime. A more touching spectacle bars our return. Jesus, as it were, lays Himself down on our path; nor can any become backsliders, and return to the practice and pleasure of sin, without trampling Him under their feet. (T. Guthrie, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 56. But all this was done] This is probably the observation of the evangelist. See Clarke on Mt 2:23.
Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.] O what is man! How little is even his utmost sincerity to be depended on! Jesus is abandoned by all! – even zealous Peter and loving John are among the fugitives! Was ever master so served by his scholars? Was ever parent so treated by his children? Is there not as much zeal and love among them all as might make one martyr for God and truth? Alas! no. He had but twelve who professed inviolable attachment to him; one of these betrayed him, another denied him with oaths, and the rest run away and utterly abandon him to his implacable enemies! Are there not found among his disciples still,
1st. Persons who betray him and his cause?
2dly. Persons who deny him and his people?
3dly. Persons who abandon him, his people, his cause, and his truth?
Reader! dost thou belong to any of these classes?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled,…. Some have thought these to be the words of the evangelist, making this remark upon what was said and done; but by what both Mark and Luke record, Mr 14:49, they appear to be the words of Christ himself; who observes this, partly to make himself, as man, easy under the treatment he met with; and partly, to fortify the minds of his disciples against offence at it; and also to throw conviction, or confusion, into the minds of his enemies. The Scriptures of the prophets he refers to, as having, or about to have, by this conduct, their accomplishment, were such, as regarded the betraying him by Judas, the taking him in this secret, private, insidious, yet violent manner; in all which he showed great meekness, calmness, and submission, as Ps 41:9. As also what respected the scattering, and hasty flight of his disciples from him, Zec 13:7, which in the next clause is shown to be accomplished.
Then all the disciples forsook him and fled; not only went away from him, and left him alone, as he foretold they would, Joh 16:32, but they ran away from him in a precipitant manner, like timorous sheep, the shepherd being about to be smitten; and they fearing, lest Peter’s rash action should be imputed to them all, and they suffer for it; or lest they should be laid hold on next, and bound, as their master was, or about to be. Every thing in this account is an aggravation of their pusillanimity, and ingratitude; as that they were the “disciples” of Christ that forsook him, whom he had called, and sent forth as his apostles to preach his Gospel; and to whom he had given extraordinary gifts and powers; who had forsaken all and followed him, and had been with him from the beginning; had heard all his excellent discourses, and had seen all his miracles, and yet these at last forsake him, and even “all” of them: John the beloved disciple, that leaned on his bosom, and Peter, that professed so much love to him, zeal for him, and faith in him; the three that had just seen him in his agony and bloody sweat, and everyone of them left him; not one stood by him, and this too, after they had had a fresh instance of his power, in striking the men to the ground, that came to take him; and when he was sueing for them with their enemies, to let them go peaceably and safely: so that they had no need to have fled in such haste; and to leave him “then”, in the midst of his enemies, in his great distress and trouble, was very unkind and ungrateful: and to this account of the evangelist, pretty much agrees what the Jews themselves say of it; for they report p, that
“when his disciples saw that he was taken, and that they could not fight against them, , “they ran away on foot”, and lift up their voice and wept greatly.”
Though they also pretend, that the citizens of Jerusalem killed many of them, and that the rest “fled” to the mountain, which is false.
p Toldos Jesu, p. 16, 17.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
56. Now all this was done. The other two Evangelists express it somewhat differently; for what Matthew relates in his own person, Mark appears to attribute to Christ.Luke employs even different words: this is your hour, and the power of darkness. But the design of the Holy Spirit is, beyond all doubt, that whatever may be the contrivances of wicked men, nothing whatever has been done but by the will and providence of God; for as he had said a little before, God has testified nothing by the prophets but what he had determined with himself, (Luk 22:3.) First, therefore, we are here informed, that whatever may be the unbridled rage by which Satan and all ungodly men are actuated, still the hand of God always prevails, so as to draw them reluctantly wherever he pleases. Secondly, we are informed, that though wicked men fulfill what was predicted in the Scriptures; yet, since God does not employ them as his lawful ministers, but directs them, by a secret movement, to that which was farthest from their wish, they are not excusable; and that, while God makes a righteous use of their malice, blame still attaches to them. At the same time, let us observe that Christ said this in order to remove the offense, which would otherwise have greatly disturbed weak minds, when they saw him so reproached and outraged.
Still Christ intended not only to promote the advantage of his disciples, but also to repress the pride of his adversaries, that they might not triumph as if they had achieved victory. For this reason, in Luke’s narrative he says, this is your hour; by which he means that the Lord grants them this liberty for a short time. The power of darkness denotes the power of the devil, and this term had also a strong tendency to abase their glory; for though they exalt themselves ever so much, Christ shows that they are still nothing more than the slaves of the devil. While all things are mingled in confusion, and while the devil, by spreading darkness abroad, appears to overturn the whole order of the world, let us know that the providence of God shines above in heaven, to bring at length to order what is confused; and let us, therefore, learn to raise the eyes of faith to that calm sky. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Hence we may again infer how much more ready they were to fight rashly than to follow their Master.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(56) But all this was done.Better, but all this has come to pass. The words, though they agree in form with those of Mar. 1:22, are, as we see from Mar. 14:49, not a comment of the Evangelists, but our Lords own witness to the disciples and the multitude, that the treachery and violence of which He was the victim were all working out a divine purpose, and (as in Mat. 26:54) fulfilling the Scriptures in which that purpose had been shadowed forth.
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.We read with a sorrowful surprise of this cowardly abandonment. Better things, we think, might have been expected of those who had professed their readiness to go with Him to prison and to death. Yet we may remember (1) the weariness and exhaustion which had overcome them, making the resolve and courage, to say the least, more difficult; and (2) that they had been told not to resist, and that flight might seem to them the only alternative to resistance. We have to fill up St. Matthews record with the strange episode of the young man with a linen cloth cast about his naked body of Mar. 14:51, where see Note.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
56. But all this was done Mark puts words somewhat similar to these into the mouth of our Lord; but it is plain that these are the words of the evangelist. No doubt our Lord expressed the sentiment which the evangelist expresses. All the disciples forsook him and fled Forbidden to fight, and unable to aid their Master, nothing save flight seemed obvious to the disciples. Passive courage is far more difficult than action. In the moment of panic, it hardly occurred to them to walk by his side, and meet, if need be, the malefactor’s death. From Gethsemane the whole band proceeds back to the city, perhaps through the gate in front of the temple, and, if we trace its course aright, crossing the bridge of the Tyropoeon, reaches the palace of Caiaphas and Annas, on the northernmost part of Mount Zion, between the Armory and Millo. (See our plan of Ancient Jerusalem.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“But all this is come about, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled.’
But it was not to be seen as too surprising, for it was necessary in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. We must see from the description ‘prophets’ all from Abraham onwards, and thus including the Books of Moses, and the Psalms of David. These had all spoken of man’ dastardly behaviour towards the true people of God, and especially to the unique One Whom He would send, not only in Daniel 7 but all through the Scriptures. It matter little whether we see this as written by Matthew or as spoken by Jesus, for it only repeats what Jesus has said in Mat 26:54.
‘Then all the disciples left Him, and fled.’ They had still been hovering there courageously, but in the end it was all too much for them. Jesus was clearly resigned to His fate, and it appeared to leave them with little to do, and with Jesus bound and taken it seemed to be the wisest course. Perhaps also, with Jesus securely bound, eyes were also beginning to look around for other victims. To hang around would have been folly.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 26:56. But all this was done Or, Is done. This was a consideration, which, if dulyapplied,mighthavepreventedhisdisciplesfrombeingoffended at his sufferings; and it strongly intimates that he still kept up the claim which he had formerly made of being the Messiah, and that what he was now to go through, was so far from being at all inconsistent with that claim, that on the whole it was absolutely necessary in order to make it out to full satisfaction.
The disciples, seeing their Master in the hands of his enemies, forsook him and fled, according to his prediction. Perhaps they were afraid that the action of Peter should be imputed to them all, and might bring their lives into danger. But whatever they apprehended, their precipitate flight in these circumstances was the basest cowardice and ingratitude, considering not only how lately they had been warned of their danger, and what solemn promises they had all made of a courageous adherence to Christ; but also what an agony they had just seen him in, what zeal he had a few moments before shewn in their defence, and what amazing power he had exerted to terrifyhis enemies into a compliance with that part of his demand which related to the safety of his friends. He had also at the same time intimated his purpose of giving them a speedy and kind dismission; see Joh 18:8. So that it was very indecent thus to run away without him, especially as Christ’s prophesy of their continued usefulness in his church was equivalent to a promise of their preservation, whatever danger they might now meet with. But our Lord probably permitted it, that we might learn not to depend too confidently even on the friendship of the best of men. See Doddridge and Macknight.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 26:56 . ] It is still Jesus who speaks, and who with these words closes His address. Comp. also Mar 14:19 . In Luk 22:53 we find a somewhat different conclusion given. Erasmus, Jansen, Bengel, Fritzsche, de Wette, Schegg, Bleek, Weiss, Holtzmann, Hilgenfeld, regard the words in question as a remark by the evangelist (comp. Mat 1:22 , Mat 21:4 ); but if that were so, we should have expected some specific quotation instead of such a general expression as at . ., and what is more, our Lord’s words would thus be deprived of their proper conclusion, of that which contains the very point of His remarks. For the gist of the whole matter lay in this avowal of His conviction as the God-man that all that was now taking place was a carrying out of the divine purpose with regard to the fulfilling of the Scriptures, and thus the mystery of Mat 26:55 is solved.
, . . .] Observe the . Not one of them stood his ground. Here was the verification of the words of Jesus, Mat 26:31 ; comp. Joh 16:32 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 1403
CHRIST FORSAKEN BY HIS DISCIPLES
Mat 26:56. Then all the Disciples forsook him, and fled.
NEXT to the presence of God, there is nothing so comforting in affliction as the sympathy of friends. The kind offices of those we love afford us tenfold pleasure in those seasons when trouble has depressed our spirits. On the other hand, the unkindness of professed friends is a most painful aggravation of any sorrow which we may be called to endure. The accumulated losses of Job were sustained by him with a holy fortitude and resignation: but, when he found that he was forsaken by his dearest friends, and that they from whom he might have expected pity became his vehement accusers [Note: Job 19:13-14.], he could no longer suppress the painful feelings of his mind. It must also have been a bitter ingredient in our Saviours cup, that in the hour of his extremity he was abandoned by his own disciples, who were bound by every tie to follow him even unto death. We cannot even read the record in our text without a mixture of indignation and grief. It forces however upon our minds many profitable reflections, some of which will serve as the basis of our present discourse.
I.
How weak is the resolution of fallen man!
[Man, as originally formed by God, was capable of carrying into execution whatever his judgment approved or his will decreed: but it is far otherwise with us in our present state. Any one who had heard the firmness with which the Disciples expressed their determination to cleave unto their Lord, and to die with him rather than deny him, would have supposed it impossible that their resolution should be shaken. But behold, in the time of trial they all forgot their vows, and fled from him with precipitation and terror. The intrepid Peter, the beloved John, the bold and ambitious James [Note: Mar 10:38-39.], are weak as the rest of their brethren.
The resolutions which we also form on particular occasions appear immoveable. How earnest are many, when lying on a bed of sickness, to redeem their time; and how determined, if ever they should recover, to devote the remainder of their lives to God! Yet they are no sooner restored to health than they go back to their former habits and companions, and leave to a distant period the performance of their vows It is thus also with many after an awakening discourse: they see how vain it is to render unto God a mere formal or hypocritical service; and they resolve that henceforth they will offer him an undivided heart But their hearts are not steadfast in the covenant which they make; and their lives are little else than a series of reformations and declensions without any solid improvement in the divine life ]
II.
What great evils are even good men capable of committing!
[That the Disciples were good men is certain; for our Lord himself had recently testified, that they were clean through the word which he had spoken to them. But their conduct on this occasion was most base and shameful. What ingratitude were they guilty of in forsaking their Lord, when their presence might perhaps be of most essential service to him! Jesus had conferred innumerable benefits on them: and it was for them that he had exposed himself to these cruel persecutions. Yet how do they requite his kindness? They have a peculiar opportunity to render him most essential service. From their long and constant attendance on him, they above all were qualified to answer any accusations which might be brought against him; and by their united testimony might perhaps prevail against the clamours of his enemies: but they, occupied only about their own safety, refuse him the important aid which they were able to afford, and leave him unprotected in the hands of his bloody-thirsty enemies.
The unbelief also which they manifested on this occasion was highly criminal. They had been repeatedly told by Jesus that, after his death and resurrection, he would meet them in Galilee. This was equal to a promise on his part that they should be preserved. Moreover, at the very time when he was apprehended, he said in their hearing, If ye seek me, let these go their way. This ought to have been regarded by them as a certain pledge of their security. But so completely were they overcome by fear, that they could not think of safety but in flight.
We mention not these things to make any man think lightly of sin. Sin is a dreadful evil, in whomsoever it is found; but most of all in those who profess godliness. And we notice it in the Disciples, only that we may put all persons on their guard against it and to make them sensible to whom they are indebted for the measure of steadfastness they have hitherto been enabled to maintain ]
III.
How desirable is it to have just views of Jesus Christ!
[Our blessed Lord forewarned his Disciples that their desertion of him would originate in their misconception of his character and office: All ye shall he offended in me this night. They had seen their Divine Master controlling the very elements themselves: from whence they had concluded him to he the true Messiah. But, now they behold him bound, and led away by an armed band, they begin to think that all their former notions were false, and that the expectations which they had founded on his numerous miracles were delusive. Jesus seemed to them now to be like Samson after his locks were cut: he was become weak as other men. Hence they could no longer repose any confidence in him, but fled like sheep without a shepherd.
And is it not thus with the ungodly? Wherefore do they despise Jesus, but because they know neither his power nor his grace? Must we not trace to the same source also the desponding fears of the contrite, Surely, if they knew how able and willing Jesus is to save them to the uttermost, they would commit their souls to him without doubt or fear We may add also, respecting the godly themselves, that if they had brighter discoveries of his glory and excellency, they would be more ardent in their love to him, and more diligent in his service We may say of all, as of those who crucified our Lord, that had they known him (more thoroughly), they would not have acted thus and thus towards him.]
From these reflections we shall be naturally led to suggest a word of,
1.
Warning
[Some take up a profession of religion hastily, because they do not expect persecution, and others because they do not fear it. But it becomes us to guard against inadvertence on the one hand, and self-confidence on the other. Let not any imagine, that it is an easy thing to be a Christian; or that they can follow Christ aright without having a cross to bear. We must all, in some measure at least, drink of the cup that our Divine Master drank of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with: and therefore we should prepare our hearts for temptation. To every one, therefore, that desires to be a Christian, we would say, Count the cost; lest after having begun to buiid, you be not able to finish. To those who are bold and confident in their profession, our warning must bear a different aspect: Be not high-minded, but fear. Surely when we behold all the Disciples, after such vehement protestations of fidelity, forsaking their Lord in his utmost extremity, we have reason enough to be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy. While we think we are standing firm, we should take heed lest we fall. We should maintain in our minds a constant sense of our proneness to sin; and cry daily and hourly to God, Hold up my going in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.]
2.
Encouragement
[The failure of such persons as our Lords Disciples might well cause us to despond, if we had not a firmer foundation to build upon than any resolution of our own. But we have the word and oath of Jehovah for our support: he has said, I will never leave thee, never, never forsake thee. This promise was fulfilled to our blessed Saviour, when he was deserted by all his friends [Note: Joh 16:32.]. It was accomplished also on behalf of the Apostle Paul, when he was in circumstances nearly similar [Note: 2Ti 4:16-17.]. And we also are warranted to expect the same Divine aid and consolation, whenever our necessities peculiarly require it [Note: Isa 43:2.]. Let us then, whilst we are weak in ourselves, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Only let our trust be in him; and then we need not fear, though an host should encamp against us, or though earth and hell should conspire to destroy us. The grace of Christ shall be sufficient for us, nor shall any thing prevail to separate us from his love.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Ver. 56. That the Scriptures, &c. ] Which yet were no more the cause of the Jews’ cruelty than Joseph was of the famine, than the astrologer is of the eclipse, or Tenterton steeple of the ebbing and flowing of the sea.
Then all the disciples forsook him and fled ] Then, when there was no such need or danger to enforce them, Christ having capitulated with the enemy for their safety. They had leave to go free before; what stayed they for then? or why flee they now? This was the fruit and punishment of their former sleeping, Mat 26:43 . Had they watched and prayed then, they had not now thus entered into temptation.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
56. ] It is doubted whether these words are a continuation of our Lord’s speech, or a remark inserted by Matthew. The use of in this Gospel would lead us to the latter conclusion: but when we reflect that thus our Lord’s speech would lose all its completeness, and that Mark gives in different words the speech going on to this same purport, we must I think decide for the other view. Besides, if the remark were Matthew’s, we should expect some particular citation, as is elsewhere his practice: see ch. Mat 1:22 ; Mat 21:4 . Mark gives it elliptically, . The Passion and Death of Christ were especially . In this they all found their central point. Compare his dying word on the Cross, , with this his assertion. On the addition in Luke, see note there.
There is an admirable sermon of Schleiermacher (vol. ii. of the Berlin ed. of 1843, p. 104) on Mat 26:55-56 .
. ] Some of them did not flee far. Peter and John went after Him to the palace of the High-priest: Joh 18:15 . On the additional circumstance in Mar 14:51 , see note there. Chrys.’s remark is worth noting: , , , , .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 26:56 . , etc.: a formula of the evangelist, introducing another reference by Jesus to the prophecies in these terms, , etc. Jesus reconciles Himself to the indignity in the manner of His arrest, as to the arrest itself, and all that it involved, by the thought that it was in His “cup” as described by the prophets. The prophetic picture of Messiah’s experience acted as a sedative to His spirit. , then, when the apprehension had been effected, and meekly submitted to by Jesus. , Peter included. , fled, to save themselves, since their Master could not be saved. This another bitter drop in the cup: absolute loneliness.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
was done = is come to pass.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
56.] It is doubted whether these words are a continuation of our Lords speech, or a remark inserted by Matthew. The use of in this Gospel would lead us to the latter conclusion: but when we reflect that thus our Lords speech would lose all its completeness, and that Mark gives in different words the speech going on to this same purport, we must I think decide for the other view. Besides, if the remark were Matthews, we should expect some particular citation, as is elsewhere his practice: see ch. Mat 1:22; Mat 21:4. Mark gives it elliptically, . The Passion and Death of Christ were especially . In this they all found their central point. Compare his dying word on the Cross,-,-with this his assertion. On the addition in Luke, see note there.
There is an admirable sermon of Schleiermacher (vol. ii. of the Berlin ed. of 1843, p. 104) on Mat 26:55-56.
.] Some of them did not flee far. Peter and John went after Him to the palace of the High-priest: Joh 18:15. On the additional circumstance in Mar 14:51, see note there. Chrys.s remark is worth noting: , , , , .
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 26:56. , but all this was done) St Matthew appears to have interwoven this periphrasis with our Lords words concerning the fulfilment of the Scriptures: cf. Mar 14:49.- , the Scriptures) in the plural number. His Passion was the confluence of their fulfilments.[1157]
[1157] Luk 22:53, mentions another cause of so sudden a change on the part of the Jews, viz. the power of darkness-Harm., p. 532.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
that: Mat 26:54, Gen 3:15, Isa 44:26, Lam 4:20, Dan 9:24, Dan 9:26, Zec 13:7, Act 1:16, Act 2:23
Then: Mat 26:31, Mar 14:50-52, Joh 16:32, Joh 18:8, Joh 18:9, Joh 18:15, Joh 18:16, 2Ti 4:16
Reciprocal: 1Ki 2:27 – that he 1Ki 19:3 – he arose Job 6:21 – ye see Job 19:13 – put my brethren Job 30:10 – flee far Psa 22:11 – none to help Psa 31:11 – a fear Psa 38:11 – lovers Psa 69:8 – become Psa 69:20 – comforters Psa 142:4 – but there was Ecc 4:1 – they had Dan 11:35 – some Mat 2:15 – that Mat 4:14 – it Mat 20:22 – We Mat 21:4 – this Mat 26:24 – Son of man goeth Mat 26:70 – General Mar 14:21 – goeth Mar 14:49 – but Luk 24:44 – that all 2Ti 3:16 – All 2Ti 4:10 – hath
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:56
Matthew is making the statements in this and the following verses. He is telling us that the deeds of this crowd were done in fulfillment of the predictions in the scriptures. The rebuke that Jesus gave Peter, also his submission to the attacks of the mob, seemed to dishearten all the disciples so that they forsook him and fled. By that act they fulfilled the predictions in Isa 53:3 and Zec 13:7.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 26:56. But all this hath come to pass. The words of our Lord. Mark gives a briefer form of the same thought; Luke, another expression, supplementing this: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. This word of our Lord is therefore His final surrender of Himself to death; a willing offering of Himself for others, in accordance with the purpose of a merciful God.
Then all the disciples forsook him. All who had joined with Peter in his protestation (Mat 26:35). This forsaking is connected with the last word of our Lord. He says He submits, their courage fails them. Only after Christ died for men, could men die for Him.
And fled. Not absolutely. See Mar 14:51; Luk 22:54; Joh 18:15. When the eleven forsook the Lord, other disciples, as Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, took a more decided stand for Him. The Church can never fail; new Christians take the place of the old ones.