The Meaning of Luke 22:44 Explained

Luke 22:44

KJV: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

YLT: and having been in agony, he was more earnestly praying, and his sweat became, as it were, great drops of blood falling upon the ground.

Darby: And being in conflict he prayed more intently. And his sweat became as great drops of blood, falling down upon the earth.

ASV: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  being  in  an agony  he prayed  more earnestly:  and  his  sweat  was  as it were  great drops  of blood  falling down  to  the ground. 

What does Luke 22:44 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 22:35-46 - Drinking The Cup For Others
Our Lord knew to what He was going. All lay naked and open before His eyes. He laid down His life of Himself; but in this supreme act of love He suffered beyond words. It was not that He feared physical pain, but it was the horror of standing before the universe identified with the sin and sorrow of the world, as though these were His own.
In these instructions to His Apostles, as to wallet, purse and sword, we must understand that He meant them to realize that the storm was about to burst upon them with furious intensity.
Some think that our Lord prayed most of all that His body should not give way under His awful anguish. He feared lest He should die before He could reach the Cross! See Hebrews 5:7. "Oh, my Lord, thy chosen disciples failed thee in that hour; but so have we! What can we say! Help us to share thy vigil and thy prayer!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 22

1  The leaders conspire against Jesus
3  Satan prepares Judas to betray him
7  The apostles prepare the Passover
19  Jesus institutes his holy supper;
21  covertly foretells of the traitor;
24  rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition;
31  assures Peter his faith should not fail;
34  and yet he should deny him thrice
39  He prays in the mount, and sweats blood;
47  is betrayed with a kiss;
50  he heals Malchus' ear;
54  he is thrice denied by Peter;
63  shamefully abused;
66  and confesses himself to be the Son of God

Greek Commentary for Luke 22:44

In an agony [εν αγωνιαι]
It was conflict, contest from αγων — agōn An old word, but only here in the N.T. Satan pressed Jesus harder than ever before. [source]
As it were great drops of blood [ωσει τρομβοι αιματος]
Thick, clotted blood. An old word (τρομβοι — thromboi) common in medical works, but here only in the N.T. This passage (Luke 22:43, Luke 22:44) is absent from some ancient documents. Aristotle speaks of a bloody sweat as does Theophrastus. [source]
Being in an agony [γενόμενος ἐν ἀγωνίᾳ]
There is in the aorist participle a suggestion of a growing intensity in the struggle, which is not conveyed by the simple being. Literally, though very awkwardly, it is, having become i n an agony: having progressed from the first prayer (began to pray, Luke 22:41) into an intense struggle of prayer and sorrow. Wycliffe's rendering hints at this: and he, made in agony, prayed. Agony occurs only here. It is used by medical writers, and the fact of a sweat accompanying an agony is also mentioned by them. [source]
More earnestly [ἐκτενέστερον]
See on fervently, 1 Peter 1:22. [source]
Was [ἐγένετο]
More correctly, as Rev., became. See on γενόμενος , being, above. [source]
Great drops [θρόμβοι]
Only here in New Testament: gouts or clots. Very common in medical language. Aristotle mentions a bloody sweat arising from the blood being in poor condition; and Theophrastus mentions a physician who compared a species of sweat to blood. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 22:44

Luke 13:24 Strive []
Used only by Luke and Paul, except John 18:36. Originally to contend for a prize in the public games; and thus conveying a sense of struggle. The kindred noun, ἀγωνία , agony, is used of Christ's struggle in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44). Compare 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7. [source]
Luke 13:24 Strive [αγωνιζεστε]
Jesus makes short shrift of the question. He includes others (present middle plural of αγωνιζομαι — agōnizomai common verb, our agonize). Originally it was to contend for a prize in the games. The kindred word αγωνια — agōnia occurs of Christ‘s struggle in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44). The narrow gate appears also in Matthew 7:13, only there it is an outside gate (πυλης — pulēs) while here it is the entrance to the house, “the narrow door” (τυρας — thuras). [source]
Luke 22:44 As it were great drops of blood [ωσει τρομβοι αιματος]
Thick, clotted blood. An old word (τρομβοι — thromboi) common in medical works, but here only in the N.T. This passage (Luke 22:43, Luke 22:44) is absent from some ancient documents. Aristotle speaks of a bloody sweat as does Theophrastus. [source]
Acts 26:7 Instantly [ἐν ἐκτενείᾳ]
Only here in New Testament. Lit., in intensity. See on fervently, 1 Peter 1:22. Compare more earnestly, Luke 22:44; without ceasing, Acts 12:5;fervent, 1 Peter 4:8. See, also, on instantly and instant, Luke 7:4; Luke 23:23. [source]
Acts 12:5 Without ceasing [ἐκτενὴς]
Wrong. The word means earnest. See on fervently, 1 Peter 1:22; and compare instantly, Acts 26:7; more earnestly, Luke 22:44; fervent, 1 Peter 4:8. The idea of continuance is, however, expressed here by the finite verb with the participle. Very literally, prayer was arising earnest. [source]
Acts 12:5 Was kept [ετηρειτο]
Imperfect passive, continuously guarded, waiting for the feast to be over. But prayer was made earnestly (προσευχη δε ην εκτενως γινομενη — proseuchē de ēn ektenōs ginomenē). Probably δε — de here is not adversative (but), merely parallel (and) as Page argues. It was a crisis for the Jerusalem church. James had been slain and Peter was to be the next victim. Hence “earnestly” (late adverb from εκτενης — ektenēs strained, from εκτεινω — ekteinō to stretch. In the N.T. only here, Luke 22:44; 1 Peter 1:22) prayer was going up (γινομενη — ginomenē present middle participle, periphrastic imperfect with ην — ēn). It looked like a desperate case for Peter. Hence the disciples prayed the more earnestly. [source]
Acts 12:5 But prayer was made earnestly [προσευχη δε ην εκτενως γινομενη]
Probably δε — de here is not adversative (but), merely parallel (and) as Page argues. It was a crisis for the Jerusalem church. James had been slain and Peter was to be the next victim. Hence “earnestly” (late adverb from εκτενης — ektenēs strained, from εκτεινω — ekteinō to stretch. In the N.T. only here, Luke 22:44; 1 Peter 1:22) prayer was going up It looked like a desperate case for Peter. Hence the disciples prayed the more earnestly. [source]
Romans 15:30 That ye strive together with me [συναγωνισασται μοι]
First aorist middle infinitive of συναγωνι ζομαι — sunagōni zomai old compound verb, only here in N.T., direct object of παρακαλω — parakalō and with associative instrumental case μοι — moi the simplex αγωνιζομενος — agōnizomenos occurring in Colossians 4:12 of the prayers of Epaphras. For Christ‘s agony in prayer see Matthew 26:42 and note on Luke 22:44. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:5 Used we flattering words [ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας ἐγενηθήμεν]
Better, were we found using flattering discourse. Very literally and baldly it is, we came to pass in discourse of flattery. It means more than the mere fact that they were not flatterers: rather, they did not prove to be such in the course of their work. Similar periphrases with ἐν are found, Luke 22:44; Acts 22:17; 2 Corinthians 3:7; Philemon 2:7; with εἰς , Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Κολακία flatteryN.T.oolxx. Rare in Class. Λόγῳ is explained by some as report or rumor. Common report did not charge us with being flatterers. This meaning is admissible, but the other is simpler. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men's self-complacency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands. [source]
Hebrews 2:18 In that [εν ωι]
Literally, “In which” (= εν τουτωι εν ωι — en toutōi en hōi in that in which), a causal idea, though in Romans 14:22 εν ωι — en hōi means “wherein.” Hath suffered Second perfect active indicative of πασχω — paschō permanent part of Christ‘s experience. Being tempted First aorist passive participle of πειραζω — peirazō The temptation to escape the shame of the Cross was early and repeatedly presented to Christ, by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-11), by Peter in the spirit of Satan (Matthew 16:22.), in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), and caused intense suffering to Jesus (Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:8). He is able This word strikes the heart of it all. Christ‘s power to help is due not merely to his deity as God‘s Son, but also to his humanity without which he could not sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15). To succour First aorist active infinitive of the old compound verb βοητεω — boētheō Them that are tempted Dative plural of the articular participle (present passive) of πειραζω — peirazō These Jewish Christians were daily tempted to give up Christ, to apostatize from Christianity. Jesus understands himself (αυτος — autos) their predicament and is able to help them to be faithful. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh [εν ταις ημεραις της σαρκος αυτου]
Here (Hebrews 5:7-9) the author turns to the other requirement of a high priest (human sympathy). Since Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15) he did not have to offer sacrifices “for himself,” yet in all other points he felt the sympathy of the human high priest, even more so by reason of his victory over sin. Having offered up Second aorist active (-α — a form) participle of προσπερω — prospherō (cf. Hebrews 5:3). An allusion to the Agony of Christ in Gethsemane. Supplications Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 Having offered up [προσενεγκας]
Second aorist active (-α — a form) participle of προσπερω — prospherō (cf. Hebrews 5:3). An allusion to the Agony of Christ in Gethsemane. Supplications Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 Supplications [ικετηριας]
Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 With strong crying and tears [μετα κραυγης ισχυρας και δακρυων]
See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 22:44 mean?

And having been in agony more earnestly He was praying became the sweat of Him like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground
καὶ γενόμενος ἐν ἀγωνίᾳ ἐκτενέστερον προσηύχετο ἐγένετο ἱδρὼς αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ θρόμβοι αἵματος καταβαίνοντες ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

γενόμενος  having  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἀγωνίᾳ  agony 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγωνία  
Sense: a struggle for victory.
ἐκτενέστερον  more  earnestly 
Parse: Adverb, Comparative
Root: ἐκτενῶς  
Sense: more intently, more earnestly.
προσηύχετο  He  was  praying 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: προσεύχομαι  
Sense: to offer prayers, to pray.
ἐγένετο  became 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἱδρὼς  sweat 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἱδρώς  
Sense: sweat.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὡσεὶ  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡσεί  
Sense: as it were, (had been), as though, as, like as, like.
θρόμβοι  great  drops 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θρόμβος  
Sense: a large thick drop, esp.
αἵματος  of  blood 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: αἷμα  
Sense: blood.
καταβαίνοντες  falling  down 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: καταβαίνω  
Sense: to go down, come down, descend.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
γῆν  ground 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.