Note 3 at Mt. 26:54: In other instances, Jesus used His superior power and authority to escape being taken (Lk. 4:29-30; Jn. 7:44-46; 8:20,59; 10:39; see note 8 at Jn. 7:30, p. 224). Yet, here He refuses to draw on supernatural or natural means of deliverance. The only explanation that can be given for this is the one that Jesus gave Himself, that He was fulfilling scripture by yielding to His persecutors.

Supernatural protection is promised in scripture (Dt. 31:6,8; Ps. 4:8; 91:1-16; Prov. 3:21-25; Isa. 43:2). Yet there are times, just like this instance with Jesus, when God would want it to be otherwise. If the Lord would have struck all of Stephen's assailants dead, then we never would have had the apostle Paul (Acts 7:58; 13:9). There are other examples where people did not accept God's supernatural deliverance because they wanted the greater reward that awaits those who have been martyred for their faith (Heb. 11:35; see notes 2-3 at Lk. 21:18-19, p. 397).