36 Then comes Jesus with them to a place named Gethsemane, and says to his disciples, Be seated here, while I go over there for prayer.
<To the chief music-maker on Aijeleth-hash-shahar. A Psalm. Of David.> My God, my God, why are you turned away from me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my crying? O my God, I make my cry in the day, and you give no answer; and in the night, and have no rest.
And he came out, and went, as his way was, to the Mountain of Olives, and the disciples went with him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, Make a prayer that you may not be put to the test. And he went a little distance away from them and, falling on his knees in prayer, he said, Father, if it is your pleasure, take this cup from me: but still, let your pleasure, not mine, be done. And an angel from heaven came to him, to give him strength. And being in great trouble of soul, the force of his prayer became stronger, and great drops, like blood, came from him, falling to the earth. And, getting up from prayer, he came to the disciples, and saw that they were sleeping for sorrow. And he said, Why are you sleeping? Get up, and give yourselves to prayer, so that you may not be put to the test.
<To the chief music-maker; put to Shoshannim. Of David.> Be my saviour, O God; because the waters have come in, even to my neck. My feet are deep in the soft earth, where there is no support; I have come into deep waters, the waves are flowing over me. I am tired with my crying; my throat is burning: my eyes are wasted with waiting for my God.
But as for me, let my prayer be made to you, O Lord, at a time when you are pleased; O God, give me an answer in your great mercy, for your salvation is certain. Take me from the grip of the sticky earth, so that I may not go down into it; let me be lifted up from the deep waters. Let me not be covered by the flowing waters; let not the deep waters go over my head, and let me not be shut up in the underworld.
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he said to his disciples, Be seated here while I say a prayer. And he took with him Peter and James and John, and grief and great trouble came on him. And he said to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch. And he went forward a little, and falling down on the earth, made request that, if possible, the hour might go from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; take away this cup from me: but even so let not my pleasure, but yours be done. And he came, and saw them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? were you not able to keep watch one hour? Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble. And again he went away, and said a prayer, using the same words. And again he came and saw them sleeping, because their eyes were very tired; and they had nothing to say in answer. And he came the third time, and said to them, Go on sleeping now and take your rest: it is enough; the hour has come; see, the Son of man is given up into the hands of evil men. Get up, let us be going; see, he who gives me up is near.
When Jesus had said these words he went out with his disciples over the stream Kedron to a garden, into which he went with his disciples. And Judas, who was false to him, had knowledge of the place because Jesus went there frequently with his disciples. So Judas, getting a band of armed men and police from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lights and with arms. Then Jesus, having knowledge of everything which was coming on him, went forward and said to them, Who are you looking for? Their answer was, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus said, I am he. And Judas, who was false to him, was there at their side. And when he said to them, I am he, they went back, falling to the earth. So again he put the question to them, Who are you looking for? And they said, Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus made answer, I have said that I am he; if you are looking for me, let these men go away. (He said this so that his words might come true, I have kept safe all those whom you gave to me.) Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, took it out and gave the high priest's servant a blow, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then Jesus said to Peter, Put back your sword: am I not to take the cup which my Father has given to me?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Matthew 26
Commentary on Matthew 26 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 26
Mt 26:1-16. Christ's Final Announcement of his Death, as Now within Two Days, and the Simultaneous Conspiracy of the Jewish Authorities to Compass It—The Anointing at Bethany—Judas Agrees with the Chief Priests to Betray His Lord. ( = Mr 14:1-11; Lu 22:1-6; Joh 12:1-11).
For the exposition, see on Mr 14:1-11.
Mt 26:17-30. Preparation for and Last Celebration of the Passover Announcement of the Traitor, and Institution of the Supper. ( = Mr 14:12-26; Lu 22:7-23; Joh 13:1-3, 10, 11, 18-30).
For the exposition, see on Lu 22:7-23.
Mt 26:31-35. The Desertion of Jesus by His Disciples, and the Denial of Peter Foretold. ( = Mr 14:27-31; Lu 22:31-38; Joh 13:36-38).
For the exposition, see on Lu 22:31-38.
Mt 26:36-46. The Agony in the Garden. ( = Mr 14:32-42; Lu 22:39-46).
For the exposition, see on Lu 22:39-46.
Mt 26:47-56. Betrayal and Apprehension of Jesus—Flight of His Disciples. ( = Mr 14:43-52; Lu 22:47-54; Joh 18:1-12).
For the exposition, see on Joh 18:1-12.
Mt 26:57-75. Jesus Arraigned before the Sanhedrim Condemned to Die, and Shamefully Entreated—The Denial of Peter. ( = Mr 14:53-72; Lu 22:54-71; Joh 18:13-18, 24-27).
For the exposition, see on Mr 14:53-72.