Matthew 26:36-46 - The Prayer In Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples: "Sit down here while I go and pray yonder." ³⁷ Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebediah, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind. ³⁸ "I am sad at heart," he said, "sad even to death; wait here and watch with me." ³⁹ Going on a little further, he threw himself on his face in prayer. "My Father," he said, "if it is possible, let me be spared this cup; only, not as I will, but as thou willest."

⁴⁰ Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. "What!" he said to Peter, "could none of you watch with me for one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak."

⁴² Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed. "My Father," he said, "if I cannot be spared this cup, but must drink it, thy will be done!" ⁴³ And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴ So he left them, and went away again, and prayed a third time, again saying the same words. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples, and said: "Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Hark! my time is close at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked men. ⁴⁶ Up, and let us be going. Look! my betrayer is close at hand."

³² Presently they came to a garden known as Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples "Sit down here while I pray." ³³ He took with him Peter, James, and John; and began to show signs of great dismay and deep distress of mind. ³⁴ "I am sad at heart," he said, "sad even to death; wait here, and watch." ³⁵ Going on a little further, he threw himself on the ground, and began to pray that, if it were possible, he might be spared that hour. ³⁶ "Abba, Father," he said, "all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me; yet, not what I will, but what thou willest."

³⁷ Then he came and found the three Apostles asleep. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could not you watch for one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray," he said to them all, "that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak."

³⁹ Again he went away, and prayed in the same words; ⁴⁰ And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. ⁴¹ A third time he came, and said to them: "Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Enough! My time has come. Hark! the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked men. ⁴² Up, and let us be going. Look! my betrayer is close at hand."

³⁹ Jesus then went out, and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, followed by his disciples. ⁴⁰ And, when he reached the spot, he said to them: "Pray that you may not fall into temptation." ⁴¹ Then he withdrew about a stone's throw, and knelt down and began to pray. ⁴² "Father," he said, "if it is thy pleasure, spare me this cup; only, not my will but thine be done."

⁴³ [Presently there appeared to him an angel from Heaven, who strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And, as his anguish became intense, he prayed still more earnestly, while his sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground.] ⁴⁵ Then he rose from praying, and came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow. ⁴⁶ "Why are you asleep?" he asked them. "Rise and pray, that you may not fall into temptation."