Morning Bible Study: Matthew 26:31-35

Peter’s Denial Predicted

31 Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written:

"I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." [Zch 13:7]

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

33 Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 “Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing.

Zechariah 13:7 Sword, awake against my shepherd,

against the man who is my associate—

this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.

Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;

I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christianity.com)

"Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be over-confident. But those fall soonest and foulest, who are the most confident in themselves. Those are least safe, who think themselves most secure. Satan is active to lead such astray; they are most off their guard: God leaves them to themselves, to humble them."