Matthew 26:36-46

Matthew 26:36-46

[36] Then  cometh  Jesus  with  them  unto  a place  called  Gethsemane,  and  saith  unto the disciples,  Sit ye  here,  while  I go  and pray  yonder.  [37] And  he took with him  Peter  and  the two  sons  of Zebedee,  and began  to be sorrowful  and  very heavy.  [38] Then  saith he  unto them,  soul  exceeding sorrowful,  even unto  death:  tarry ye  here,  and  watch  with  [39] And  further,  and fell  on  his  face,  and  prayed,  saying,  Father,  if  possible,  cup  pass  from  nevertheless  not  as  will,  but  as  thou  [40] And  he cometh  unto  the disciples,  and  findeth  them  asleep,  and  saith  unto Peter,  What,  could ye  not  watch  with  hour?  [41] Watch  and  pray,  ye enter  into  temptation:  the spirit  indeed  is willing,  but  the flesh  is weak.  [42] He went away  again  the  second time,  and prayed,  saying,  Father,  if  may  not  pass away  I drink  it,  will  be done.  [43] And  he came  and found  them  asleep  again:  for  their  eyes  heavy.  [44] And  he left  them,  and went away  again,  and prayed  the third time,  saying  the same  words.  [45] Then  cometh he  to  his  disciples,  and  saith  unto them,  Sleep on  now,  and  take your rest:  behold,  the hour  is at hand,  and  the Son  of man  is betrayed  into  the hands  of sinners.  [46] Rise,  let us be going:  behold,  he is at hand  that doth betray 

What does Matthew 26:36-46 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This pericope illustrates the importance of facing temptation with vigilance and prayer. What is more important, it reveals Jesus" attitude toward what He was about to do. Until now, Jesus seems to have been anticipating His death with calm control and great courage. Here He appears under deep emotional stress. These attitudes harmonize with His being both the Son of God and the Servant who came to give His life a ransom for many ( Matthew 1:21 : Matthew 20:28). Martyrs can face death bravely, but self-sacrifice demands greater strength. Moreover Jesus knew that God would forsake Him when He died because He would bear the punishment for the sins of humanity. As Jesus" death was unique, so was His anguish as He anticipated it.