Definition: But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous verse from Matthew 26:54. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling part of Jesus’s final moments. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is asking a huge question about the future of the Bible – specifically, the Old Testament scriptures. He's wondering why these scriptures (which tell about God's plan and how things will happen) would be fulfilled in the way he’s experiencing right now. Let's unpack it: “But how then shall…” - This is a very dramatic question mark, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation. “…the scriptures be fulfilled…” – The Bible is the collection of stories, laws, prophecies, and teachings that Christians believe God wrote down long ago. These scriptures tell about Jesus’s birth, his life, death, and resurrection. "...that thus it must be?" - This is the core of the question. Jesus isn't just asking if the scriptures will be fulfilled; he's asking why they must be fulfilled in this specific way – that this particular event (Jesus’s death and resurrection) is the only way for those scriptures to come true. What it suggests: Jesus was anticipating his betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and ultimately, death. He knew these events were essential to the whole story of Christianity. He's essentially grappling with the idea that this specific moment – this complete sacrifice – is the ultimate culmination of God’s plan for humanity. Important Context: This verse comes from a very dramatic and emotional time in Jesus’s life. He was about to be betrayed and killed, and he’s contemplating the significance of his own death. It's a moment of intense reflection and understanding of what’s coming. In short, it’s a profound question about the destiny of the Bible and the ultimate purpose of Jesus’s sacrifice. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific aspect of this passage (like the concept of prophecy)?