When Jesus presented the testing truth that caused so many of His disciples to turn back, He knew what would be the result of His words; but He had a purpose of mercy to fulfill. He foresaw that in the hour of temptation every one of His beloved disciples would be severely tested. His agony in Gethsemane, His betrayal and crucifixion, would be to them a most trying ordeal. Had no previous test been given, many who were actuated by merely selfish motives would have been connected with them. When their Lord was condemned in the judgment hall; when the multitude who had hailed Him as their king hissed at Him and reviled Him; when the jeering crowd cried, "Crucify Him!"--when their worldly ambitions were disappointed, these self-seeking ones would, by renouncing their allegiance to Jesus, have brought upon the disciples a bitter, heart-burdening sorrow, in addition to their grief and disappointment in the ruin of their fondest hopes. In that hour of darkness, the example of those who turned from Him might have carried others with them. But Jesus brought about this crisis while by His personal presence He could still strengthen the faith of His true followers.

Da Jesus forkyndte den prøvende sandhed, der gjorde, at så mange af disciplene vendte ham ryggen, vidste han, hvad følgen af hans ord ville blive; men han havde et nådigt formål med at gøre det. Han forudså, at i fristelsens stund ville enhver af hans elskede disciple blive hårdt prøvet. Hans dødsangst i Getsemane, forræderiet og hans korsfæstelse ville for dem blive en stor prøvelse. Hvis der ikke tidligere havde været nogen prøve, ville mange, der kun blev drevet af selviske motiver, have været knyttet til dem. Når deres Herre blev dømt i domssalen; når skarerne, der havde hyldet ham som deres konge, snerrede ad ham og forhånede ham; når den spottende hob råbte: "Korsfæst ham!" når deres jordiske forhåbninger blev skuffede, så ville disse selviske mennesker ved at frasige sig deres troskab mod Jesus have voldt disciplene bitter og overvældende sorg, foruden deres smerte og skuffelse ved at se deres kæreste håb lagt øde. I denne mørkets time ville eksemplet fra dem, som vendte sig fra ham, have ført andre med sig. Men Jesus fremkaldte dette vendepunkt, medens han ved sin personlige nærhed kunne styrke troen hos sine trofaste disciple.