Charles Ellicott 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)

All you will be offended because of me — We may think of these words as being spoken at some early stage of that evening walk. It corresponds in substance with John 16:32 but seems to have been uttered more abruptly.

I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered — The citation of this prophecy from Zechariah 13:7 is highly suggestive, showing that our Lord’s thoughts had focused, and that He led the disciples to focus, on that chapter as applicable to Himself. For one who approached prophecy as St. Matthew did, much in that chapter that is perplexing to the historical critic would be full of divine meaning. It spoke of a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness; of One with wounds in His hands, who was wounded in the house of His friends; of the Shepherd to whom Jehovah spoke as to His fellow.