February 9th

By Randall L. Broad

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26

Today’s reading contains another very famous story from the New Testament.

The highlight of the narrative is Jesus’ prediction before the rooster crows Peter will deny him three times but there is much more to the reading today than just this rebuke. In the first verses Judas has agreed to betray Jesus (vv. 14-16). Then Jesus shares the Last Supper with His disciples (vv. 17-30). The Last Supper contains some deep theological significance in and of itself. It is meant to convey the message there will be victory over death and though the days ahead will appear to be one of defeat the faithful will in time experience the power of the Holy Spirit, witness the spread of the gospel message and would all be together again in the Kingdom of God. Jesus then shares with them a prophecy from Zechariah 13 and rebukes Peter which is followed by the narrative of the Garden of Gethsemane (vv. 36-46) where Jesus spends his last night with his apostles before his resurrection. All of these events are worthy of commentary on this blog but today the focus will be on verses 26:31-35–especially the prophecy from Zechariah (v. 31).

³¹Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

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

³³Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Matthew 26:31-35

Following the Last Supper, Jesus shares with His apostles a prophecy found in the Book of Zechariah that God will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. The Old Testament has twenty-seven references to people bearing the name Zechariah–only two are probable references to the prophet who wrote the words Jesus quotes in today’s reading (Nehemiah 12:8, 16; Ezra 5:1; 6:14). Adding to the confusion is the fact both his name and his fathers are often spelled differently in different English translations. But what we do know is Zechariah was the eleventh of the twelve Minor Prophets. He came from a line of priests, was the son of Berechiah the grandson of Iddo (Zechariah 1:1) and was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai (Ezra 5:1; 6-14). His prophetic writings feature three apocalyptic themes: first, Jerusalem will be saved from a siege by her enemies through the intervention of the Lord; secondly, a remnant of Israel will be saved; and third, the nations will come to Jerusalem and all will enjoy the blessings of God’s Kingdom. Specifically Jesus quotes from chapter thirteen which lies at the heart of his message declaring the victories of the new age and the coming day of the Lord (Chapters 12-14).

Zechariah begins chapter thirteen with:

¹“On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

Zechariah 13:1

There is great significance in the opening verse of chapter 13. Fountains are a source of life for all living things in arid climates. In scripture water is a never ending stream of blessing–in this case God’s mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing power. God promises a fountain from the house of David to cleanse Israel from sin and impurity. But before that can happen there is a foreshadowing of the penultimate. 

⁷“Awake, sword, against my shepherd,

Against the man who is close to me!”

Declares the Lord Almighty.

“Strike the shepherd,

And the sheep will be scattered,

And I will turn my hand against the little ones.

⁸In the whole land,” declares the Lord,

“Two-thirds will be struck down and perish;

Yet one-third will be left in it.

⁹This third I will put into the fire;

I will refine them like silver

And test them like gold.

They will call on my name

And I will answer them;

I will say, ‘They are my people,’

And they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ”

Zechariah 13:7-9

The power of this messianic prophecy is profound. The sword which is being awakened is Rome–for they will crucify Christ. My Shepherd is Jesus who wants his disciples to know that His death is not by humans but rather divinely determined for humanity. The phrase the man who is close to me is often translated as my companion which is significant because in scripture the reference is to a relationship of equality (Leviticus 6:2; 18:20; 19:15). The term little ones could have many meanings. It may refer to a specific group of people for example the disciples, their disciples, unbelieving Jews of any age or a faithful remnant of the future. Also, since the Hebrew nation has experienced persecutions throughout their history by conquerors and other enemies, it could be seen as a general prophecy of the challenges of a shepherd-less people.

Yet it remains a message of hope …

It has, and shall have its accomplishment in the destruction of the corrupt and hypocritical part of the professed church. Because of the sin of the Jews in rejecting and crucifying Christ, and in opposing his gospel, the Romans would destroy the greater part. But a remnant would be saved. And if we are his people, we shall be refined as gold; he will be God, and the end of all our trials and suffering will be praise, and honour; and glory, at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.^[1]

And after they have all been tested and refined, they will call upon His name and He will say “they are my people and they will say the lord is our God” which is reminiscent of the original covenant God made with Israel (Leviticus 26:12) but in this case speaks of a New Covenant for a spiritually revitalized people (Ezekiel 36:28; Hosea 2:23 Romans 11:26-27). The beginning of the fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7-9 comes in the garden of Gethsemane when Christ is arrested and all the apostles are scatted.

Walk with the Lord …

Ephesians 1:17

(RLB250209)

© Copyright 2017: Randall L. Broad

Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.

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[1]Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997: 847-48.