Mark 14:27 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:27 mean?

Mark 14:27 records Jesus telling His disciples that all of them will fall away or be shaken because of Him that very night, fulfilling a prophecy that says the shepherd will be struck and the sheep will scatter. Jesus is warning them that they will abandon Him when He is arrested, just as Scripture foretold.

Jesus is speaking to His closest followers during the Last Supper, just before His arrest. He refers to a prophecy from the Hebrew Scriptures (Zechariah 13:7), using the image of a shepherd (Himself) being struck and the sheep (the disciples) scattering. This is not just a prediction but also a way of preparing them for the fear and confusion they will soon experience.

The Greek behind Mark 14:27

• "Offended" (σκανδαλισθήσεσθε, skandalisthēsesthe): This Greek word means to stumble or fall away, often used for losing faith or being shaken. Here, Jesus is saying the disciples will be unsettled or lose their nerve because of what happens to Him.
• "Smite" (πατάξω, pataxō): This verb means to strike or hit forcefully. Jesus quotes Scripture to show that His suffering is not random but part of God's plan.
• "Shepherd" (ποιμένα, poimena) and "sheep" (πρόβατα, probata): These words paint a vivid picture. The shepherd stands for Jesus, and the sheep for His followers. The scattering shows how the disciples will be confused and frightened without their leader.
• "Scattered" (διασκορπισθήσονται, diaskorpisthēsontai): This word means to be dispersed or driven apart, emphasizing how the disciples will be separated and disoriented after Jesus is taken.

Why Mark 14:27 matters

• Mark 14:27 clears up any idea that the disciples’ failure was unexpected or outside of God’s knowledge; Jesus knew it would happen and even tied it to ancient prophecy.
• This verse highlights the humanity and vulnerability of the disciples, showing that even those closest to Jesus could falter under pressure.
• Mark 14:27 connects Jesus’ suffering to the larger story of Scripture, showing that His arrest and the disciples’ scattering were part of God’s plan, not a defeat or accident.