36 (A)[a]Then went Jesus with them into a place which is called Gethsemane, and said unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go, and pray yonder.

37 And he took unto him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to wax sorrowful, and [b]grievously troubled.

38 [c]Then said Jesus unto them, My soul is very heavy, even unto the death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 So he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, [d]let this [e]cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 [f]After, he came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and said to Peter, What? could ye not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.

42 Again he went away the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, but that I must drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then came he to his disciples, and said unto them, Sleep henceforth, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is given into the hands of sinners.

46 [g]Rise, let us go: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:36 Christ having regard to the weakness of his disciples, leaving all the rest in safety, taketh with him but three to be witnesses of his anguish, and goeth of purpose into the place appointed to betray him in.
  2. Matthew 26:37 The word which he useth, signifieth great sorrow, and marvelous and deadly grief: which thing, as it betokeneth the truth of man’s nature, which shunneth death as a thing that entered in against nature, so it showeth that though Christ were void of sin, yet he sustained this horrible punishment, because he felt the wrath of God kindled against us for sins, which he revenged and punished in his person.
  3. Matthew 26:38 Christ a true man, going about to suffer the punishment which was due unto us, for forsaking of God is forsaken of his own: he hath a terrible conflict with the horror and fear of the curse of God: out of which he escaping as a conqueror, causeth us not to be afraid anymore of death.
  4. Matthew 26:39 Let it pass me, and not touch me.
  5. Matthew 26:39 That is, which is at hand, and is offered and prepared for me: a kind of speech which the Hebrews use, for the wrath of God, and the punishment he sendeth. See also Matt. 20:22.
  6. Matthew 26:40 An example of the carelessness of man.
  7. Matthew 26:46 Christ offereth himself willingly to be taken, that in so obeying willingly, he might make satisfaction for the willful fall of man.

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