The Meaning of Matthew 26:56 Explained

Matthew 26:56

KJV: But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

YLT: but all this hath come to pass, that the Writings of the prophets may be fulfilled;' then all the disciples, having left him, fled.

Darby: But all this is come to pass that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.

ASV: But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  all  this  was done,  that  the scriptures  of the prophets  might be fulfilled.  Then  all  the disciples  forsook  him,  and fled. 

What does Matthew 26:56 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 26:47-56 - Betrayed And Forsaken
We cannot fathom the secret thoughts of the traitor. Did he hope that his act would compel Christ to take the course of self-vindication, which His mighty acts appeared to make possible? It seems unthinkable that there was not some explanation other than mere greed! Yet, when we look into our own hearts, can we be altogether surprised? How often have we betrayed the Lord by our reticence, when we should have spoken; by the kiss of the lip, when we were selfishly exploiting our association with Him to our own advantage!
Our Lord did not die a martyr's death. The martyr is led to the scaffold or stake because he is overpowered by superior force. But our Lord knew that the invisible world was full of help if only He had expressed the slightest wish. Others die because they are born; He was born that He might die. "He laid down His life that He might take it again." He would not receive help from the Father, or the angels, or Peter's sword, but poured out His soul unto death, because of a love that was stronger than death. See 1 Peter 2:21, etc. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 26

1  Jesus foretells his own death
3  The rulers conspire against him
6  The woman anoints his feet
14  Judas bargains to betray him
17  Jesus eats the Passover;
26  institutes his holy supper;
30  foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36  prays in the garden;
47  and being betrayed by a kiss,
57  is carried to Caiaphas,
69  and denied by Peter

What do the individual words in Matthew 26:56 mean?

This then all is come to pass that might be fulfilled the Scriptures of the prophets Then the disciples all having forsaken Him fled
Τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαὶ τῶν προφητῶν Τότε οἱ μαθηταὶ πάντες ἀφέντες αὐτὸν ἔφυγον

Τοῦτο  This 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
γέγονεν  is  come  to  pass 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
πληρωθῶσιν  might  be  fulfilled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.
γραφαὶ  Scriptures 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: γραφή  
Sense: a writing, thing written.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προφητῶν  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
μαθηταὶ  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
ἀφέντες  having  forsaken 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
ἔφυγον  fled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: φεύγω  
Sense: to flee away, seek safety by flight.