Albert Barnes Commentary 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." — Matthew 26:31 (ASV)

Then Jesus says to them. The occasion of His saying this was Peter's bold affirmation that he was ready to die with Him (John 13:37). Jesus had told them that He was going away—that is, He was about to die. Peter asked Him where He was going. Jesus replied that Peter could not follow Him then, but would do so afterwards. Peter, not satisfied with that, said that he was ready to lay down his life for Him. Jesus then distinctly informed them that all of them would leave Him that night.

All you will be offended because of Me (See commentary on Matthew 5:29).

It means, here, you will all stumble at My being taken, abused, and treated with contempt; you will be ashamed to acknowledge Me as a teacher and to acknowledge yourselves as My disciples. Or, My being betrayed will prove a snare to you all, so that you will be guilty of the sin of forsaking Me, and by your conduct, of denying Me.

For it is written . This is affirmed here to have reference to the Savior and to be fulfilled in Him.

I will smite. This is the language of God the Father. I will smite means either that I will give Him up to be smitten (Exodus 8:16, and others), or that I will do it Myself. Both of these things were done. God gave Him up to the Jews and Romans to be smitten for the sins of the world (Romans 8:32); and He Himself left Him to deep and awful sorrows, to bear "the burden of the world's atonement" alone .

The shepherd. The Lord Jesus—the Shepherd of His people (John 10:11, 14; compare commentary on Isaiah 11:11).

The sheep. This means here particularly the apostles. It also refers sometimes to all the followers of Jesus, the friends of God (John 10:16; Psalms 100:3).

Shall be scattered abroad. This refers to their fleeing and was fulfilled in that .