Verse 54 gives the reason Jesus does not call angels: Scripture must be fulfilled. It directly explains the restraint in verse 53.

In Matthew 26:56, the disciples' flight directly fulfills the Scriptures — the immediate narrative conclusion to this statement.

In Matthew 2:15, the flight to Egypt fulfills Hosea's prophecy — another instance where Jesus' life fulfills Scripture as stated here.

In Matthew 4:14, Jesus' move to Galilee fulfills Isaiah — another example of his ministry fulfilling prophecy.

In Psalm 69, the psalmist’s suffering and rejection prefigure the Messiah’s ordeal, providing another Scriptural basis for Jesus’ arrest.

In Isaiah 53, the suffering servant is pierced for transgressions—clearly the prophecy Jesus insists must be fulfilled in his arrest.

In Daniel 9:24-26, the Messiah is cut off after seventy weeks, supplying the timeline of suffering that Jesus says must happen.

In Zechariah 13:7, the shepherd is struck and sheep scatter—directly fulfilled when Jesus is arrested and disciples flee.

In Psalm 22, the detailed suffering of the righteous man foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion, showing the specific Scriptures he says must be fulfilled.

In Acts 1:16, Peter says Scripture had to be fulfilled regarding Judas—paralleling the necessity of Scripture’s fulfillment here.

In Luke 24:44-46, Jesus explains everything written about him in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms must be fulfilled—directly echoing his statement here.

Acts 13:27 explicitly states that the rulers fulfilled the prophets by condemning Jesus, directly connecting to the necessity of Scripture being fulfilled.

Acts 4:28 echoes the same theme of divine predestination—the events of Jesus' arrest happened according to God's predetermined plan.

In Luke 22:22, the Son of Man goes as decreed — a parallel version of the necessity for the betrayal.

In Mark 14:49, Jesus says 'the Scriptures must be fulfilled' — the same statement in the same scene.

In Mark 14:21, the Son of Man goes as written — a synoptic parallel to this assertion of scriptural necessity.

In Luke 22:37, Jesus quotes Isaiah 'numbered with transgressors' as a specific Scripture that must be fulfilled in him.

In Luke 24:25, Jesus rebukes disciples for not believing that the Christ had to suffer—the same necessity he invokes here.

In Luke 24:26, Jesus states the Christ had to suffer and enter glory—reinforcing that his arrest is necessary.

In John 3:14, the Son of Man must be lifted up like the serpent — another expression of the necessity of Jesus' crucifixion.

In John 12:27, Jesus affirms his purpose for 'this hour' — the same divine necessity for his death, without explicit Scripture fulfillment.