But all this was done— Or, Is done. This was a consideration, which, if dulyapplied,mighthavepreventedhisdisciplesfrombeingoffended at his sufferings; and it strongly intimates that he still kept up the claim which he had formerly made of being the Messiah, and that what he was now to go through, was so far from being at all inconsistent with that claim, that on the whole it was absolutely necessary in order to make it out to full satisfaction.
The disciples, seeing their Master in the hands of his enemies, forsook him and fled, according to his prediction. Perhaps they were afraid that the action of Peter should be imputed to them all, and might bring their lives into danger. But whatever they apprehended, their precipitate flight in these circumstances was the basest cowardice and ingratitude, considering not only how lately they had been warned of their danger, and what solemn promises they had all made of a courageous adherence to Christ; but also what an agony they had just seen him in, what zeal he had a few moments before shewn in their defence, and what amazing power he had exerted to terrifyhis enemies into a compliance with that part of his demand which related to the safety of his friends. He had also at the same time intimated his purpose of giving them a speedy and kind dismission; see John 18:8. So that it was very indecent thus to run away without him, especially as Christ's prophesy of their continued usefulness in his church was equivalent to a promise of their preservation, whatever danger they might now meet with. But our Lord probably permitted it, that we might learn not to depend too confidently even on the friendship of the best of men. See Doddridge and Macknight.