Matthew 26:36-46 - The Prayer In Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus came with His disciples to a place called Gethsemene. [Note: This was an olive orchard on a hillside just east of Jerusalem]. He said to them, "You sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [i.e., James and John] with Him, and [soon] began to be grieved and very distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, "My soul is extremely grieved, even to [the point where I could] die. Stay here and be alert with me [i.e., in prayer]." ³⁹ And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, "My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me]."

⁴⁰ And [when] He came [back] to where His disciples were and found them asleep, He said to Peter, "What [is this], could you not remain alert with me [in prayer] for one hour? ⁴¹ Be alert and pray, so that you do not give in to temptation; the spirit [of a person] is truly willing [i.e., to do a certain thing], but his physical nature is [often too] weak [to carry it out]."

⁴² He [then] went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if this [cup of suffering] cannot pass away unless I drink it [i.e., experience the suffering], [then] let what You want be done." ⁴³ And He came [back] again and found them asleep, because they had not been able to keep their eyes open.

⁴⁴ He left and went away from them again and prayed a third time, saying the same words again. ⁴⁵ Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Go ahead and sleep now, and get your rest. See, the time is near and the Son of man is [about to be] turned over into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up, let us be going. Look, the one who will turn me over [to the Jewish leaders] is nearby."

³² Jesus and His disciples came to a place called Gethsemene [Note: This was an olive orchard on a hillside just east of Jerusalem]. He said to His disciples, "You sit here while I [go away and] pray." ³³ And He took Peter, James and John with Him and began to be troubled and deeply distressed. ³⁴ He said to them, "My soul is extremely grieved, even to the point where I could die. Stay here and be alert [i.e., in prayer]." ³⁵ And He went on ahead a short distance and fell to the ground and prayed for that hour [i.e., that time of terrible grief] to pass away from Him, if it were at all possible. ³⁶ So, He said, "Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible with you. Take this cup [i.e., of suffering] away from me; however, let it not be what I want but what you want for me."

³⁷ And when He came back and found His disciples sleeping He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not stay alert [in prayer] for one hour? ³⁸ Be alert and pray, so that you do not give in to temptation. The spirit of a person is truly willing [i.e., to do a certain thing], but his physical nature is [often] too weak [to carry it out]."

³⁹ And He went away again and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰ Then He came back again and found His disciples still asleep, because they had not been able to keep their eyes open at all. ⁴¹ And He came back a third time and said to them, "Go ahead and sleep now and get your rest. That is enough; the time has come. See, the Son of man is about to be turned over into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Get up, let us be going. Look, the one who will turn me over [i.e., to the Jewish leaders] is nearby."

³⁹ Then Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed to doing [each evening during His final week], and His disciples followed Him. ⁴⁰ And when He got there He said to them, "Pray that you do not give in [i.e., to the devil] under trials." ⁴¹ Then Jesus went away from them about the distance of a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup [i.e., of suffering] away from me; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what you want [for me]."

⁴³ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. [See Matt. 4:11]. ⁴⁴ And He became anguished as He prayed more fervently; even His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. ⁴⁵ And when He got up from praying He went to His disciples and found them asleep, exhausted from grief. ⁴⁶ So, He said to them, "Why were you sleeping? Get up and pray so you do not give in [to the devil] under trials."