Offense: Persecution, a Cause of, to Mere Professors

But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’