The disciples fled because they were scared to death for their lives when Jesus was arrested.
At the time of Christ's arrest, the disciples scattered like a flock of quail, running for their lives out of fear. They saw what was happening to their Master and panicked. Yet after the resurrection, these same men were afraid of nothing, even standing up to Rome and facing martyrdom without fear.
Matthew 26:56 — The Gospel of Matthew records that all the disciples forsook Jesus and fled at His arrest.
<p>In the Gospel of Matthew, after Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bible records that <em>"all the disciples forsook him, and fled"</em> (Matthew 26:56). This happened immediately after one of His disciples cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus told him to put away his sword, saying that He could pray to His Father and He would send twelve legions of angels. But the Scriptures had to be fulfilled.</p><p>The Gospel of Mark adds that a young man (often thought to be Mark himself) was following Jesus and when the soldiers laid hold on him, he fled naked, leaving behind his linen cloth. Even Peter, who had earlier boasted that he would never forsake Jesus, followed afar off and later denied knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed.</p>
Les says the disciples fled because they were scared to death, like a bunch of quail or little chicks scattered for their lives. They were fearful for their own lives. Peter was so terrified that he collapsed and denied Jesus three times, cursing and swearing that he never knew Him. Les says this was typical of their condition before the resurrection — they had no power to stand in the face of danger.</p><p>But after the resurrection, everything changed. Les points to the change in the 11 disciples as proof of the resurrection's power. Peter never again kowtowed to a young maid; he stood up to Rome and was no longer afraid of Jews or anyone else. All the apostles were martyred without fear. Les says this same resurrection power is what believers should have today — knowing that no one can touch the invisible, immortal part of us that will one day be resurrected.
Peter, like the rest of the disciples, was fearful for his own life. When confronted at the time of Christ's arrest, he collapsed — his whole facade simply melted away. He cursed and denied that he ever knew Jesus, and he ran scared. Les points out that Peter was typical of all the disciples at that moment.
After the resurrection, the disciples' total attitude changed. Peter was no longer afraid of anyone — not Rome, not the Jews, not anybody. All 11 apostles, as near as Les can tell, were martyred without fear. They were ready to go to the very ends of persecution, knowing that no matter what happened to them physically, the power of the resurrection was still in their future. Nothing scared them because they had witnessed the power of resurrection.
Les emphasizes that the change in the disciples' attitude is proof of the resurrection and its power. Before the resurrection they scattered like frightened chicks, but after it they were afraid of nothing. Les says this has to be the bedrock of the Gospel — it's not enough to believe Jesus was a good man or that He died on the cross. The resurrection power is central, and believers today can say with Paul that they don't have to worry about what men can do to this body, because they can't touch the invisible, immortal part that will be resurrected.
Les applies this to modern believers. He says we should be so bound in the hope and power of the resurrection that we are not afraid of what men can do to this body of flesh. We should have no fear of death, because death is only going to be so temporary because of resurrection power. Just as the first disciples were set free from fear, we too can live without fear of persecution or death.
Why the Temple Veil Tore — Matthew 27 Explained
want to be interested in a class in an area, now you have to realize that when we began this program, we never dreamed of being on longer than six months. We never dreamed of going beyond the area right around Tulsa. But now that we're reaching out over coast to coast on that satellite and various other cities as well, people are calling and asking, well, where do you have a class in our area? So …
Disciples Scattered Like Quail
Les explains that when Christ was arrested, the disciples scattered like quail and Peter denied Him three times because they were fearful for their lives, but after the Resurrection they were ready to face persecution knowing resurrection power was in their future.
Resurrection Changed the Disciples' Attitude
Les says the one thing that changed the total attitude of the 11 disciples was the resurrection, so that Peter never again kowtowed to a young maid and stood up to Rome, and all the apostles were martyred without fear.
Peter Collapsed and Ran Scared
Les describes how Peter's facade melted away at Christ's arrest as he cursed and denied knowing Him, but after witnessing the power of the resurrection he was afraid of nobody.
Transformation as Proof of Resurrection
Les points to the change of attitude among the 11 men as proof of the resurrection and its power, noting that before the resurrection they scattered scared to death, but after it they were afraid of nothing.
Fear Turned to Understanding of Eternal Life
Les explains that the disciples scattered for their lives at the crucifixion, but after the resurrection they understood that nothing could touch their eternal part, so even death could not end their spirit life.
Why Israel Rejected the Gospel — Acts 8 Explained
And they were all scattered abroad, throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except, underline that next one, except who? The Apostles! Now just analyze that verse, just exactly the way it sits. I'm not going to be a theologian, and I'm not going to be like the rabbis do with the Old Testament, and just sit there and try to think of a million ways I can interpret it.
Resurrection Power Removes Fear of Death
Les applies resurrection power to believers today, saying we should be so bound in it that we are not afraid of persecution or death, just as the 12 men were unafraid of Rome or the Jews.
Matthew 26:56: But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
This verse directly records the disciples fleeing immediately after Jesus was arrested.
Mark 14:50-52: And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Mark's account emphasizes the totality of the disciples' flight, including a young man who fled naked.
Matthew 26:69-75: Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
This passage details Peter's fearful denial of Jesus, which Les cites as evidence of the disciples' fear.
The disciples ran away because they were scared to death for their lives. They saw what was happening to their Master and, like a flock of quail, they scattered and ran for their lives.
Yes, Peter denied Jesus three times, even cursing and swearing that he never knew Him. Les says Peter was fearful for his own life, and his whole facade simply melted away.
The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. After they witnessed the power of the resurrection, they were no longer afraid of Rome, the Jews, or martyrdom. They knew that nothing could touch their eternal part.
Not the way Les explains it. Their fear was typical of their condition before the resurrection. The real lesson is the dramatic change after the resurrection, which gave them power and fearlessness.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Temple Veil Tore — Matthew 27 Explained