King James Version

What Does Mark 14:27 Mean?

Mark 14:27 in the King James Version says “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shephe...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. offended: or, scandalized, or, shall stumble”

Mark 14:27 · KJV

Context

25

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. hymn: or, psalm

27

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. offended: or, scandalized, or, shall stumble

28

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All ye shall be offended because of me this night—Jesus predicts universal desertion using σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), meaning to cause to stumble or fall away. This wasn't speculation but prophetic certainty. For it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered quotes Zechariah 13:7, but with crucial modification: in Zechariah, God commands "smite the shepherd"; Jesus applies this to Himself, identifying as the shepherd whom God will strike.

The passive construction "shall be scattered" (διασκορπισθήσονται, diaskorpisthēsontai) indicates divine sovereignty—the disciples' flight wasn't merely human weakness but part of God's redemptive plan. Yet this prophecy also contains hope: scattered sheep can be regathered, which Jesus promises in verse 28. Peter's confident denial (v. 29) shows how little we understand our capacity for failure apart from grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zechariah 13:7-9 prophesies a messianic refining through judgment. First-century rabbis debated whether Messiah would suffer; Jesus resolves this by applying suffering-servant texts to Himself. The disciples' desertion fulfilled prophecy while also demonstrating the humanity of those who would later become Spirit-empowered apostles.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' use of Zechariah 13:7 demonstrate that His death was God's plan, not human accident?
  2. What comfort does verse 28's promise provide when you experience spiritual failure?
  3. Why does God sometimes allow His people to experience failure before empowering them for ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγει2 of 23

“saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτοῖς3 of 23

“unto them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ4 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς5 of 23

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὅτι6 of 23

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Πάντες7 of 23

“All ye”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

σκανδαλισθήσεσθε8 of 23

“shall be offended”

G4624

to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

ἐν9 of 23

“because of”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐμοὶ10 of 23
G1698

to me

ἐν11 of 23

“because of”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ12 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νυκτὶ13 of 23

“night”

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

ταύτη,14 of 23
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ὅτι15 of 23

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

γέγραπται16 of 23

“it is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

Πατάξω17 of 23

“I will smite”

G3960

to knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally)

τὸν18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποιμένα19 of 23

“the shepherd”

G4166

a shepherd (literally or figuratively)

καὶ20 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διασκορπισθήσεται21 of 23

“shall be scattered”

G1287

to dissipate, i.e., (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander

τὰ22 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρόβατα23 of 23

“the sheep”

G4263

something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 13:7John 16:32Matthew 26:31John 16:12 Timothy 4:16Luke 22:31-32

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