Matthew 26:56 - Exposition

All this was done ( hath come to pass ) , etc . This is most probably part of Christ's speech, not a remark of the evangelist. He repeats to the multitude what he had said to Peter ( Matthew 26:54 , where see note), and what he had already intimated at the last Supper ( Matthew 26:24 , Matthew 26:31 ). To quote the words of Stier, "Again and again he declares that one thing which, nevertheless, Christian theology perpetually refuses to learn from the supreme Teacher and Doctor. He holds firmly to the Scripture, whether speaking to the exasperated Jews or the docile disciples; he puts those to shame in their folly by proofs from Scripture, and strengthens these in their despondency by its consolatory promises. He appeals to Scripture in his vehement disputation with men, as he does in his solemn way of suffering to die for them; he confronts Satan with 'It is written,' and prays to the Father—that the Scripture may be fulfilled." If Christ had been taken prematurely in the temple, and put to death by a tumultuary stoning, prophecy would not have been fulfilled, and his death would not have been the appointed sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Forsook him, and fled. As he had foretold ( Matthew 26:31 ). They saw their Master bound and helpless; they recognized that he would not deliver himself by heavenly aid, and, fearing to share his fate, they looked to their own safety and basely abandoned him in his hour of danger. Now occurred the incident mentioned only by St. Mark ( Mark 14:51 ), which is explained rightly by Edersheim. Only Peter and John followed the officers to the high priest's palace.