Matthew 26:36-39 – Garden Prayer
|| Mark 14:32-36; Luke 22:40-44
MT26:36 Thereafter Jesus arrived with them to the place called Gethsemane[1] and Jesus told his disciples, “Sit down here while I go over there where I may pray.” MT26:37 Having taken along with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], Jesus started to be grieved[2] and intensely distressed.[3] MT26:38 Then Jesus said to the three apostles: “My soul is deeply depressed[4] to the point of death! Stay here with me[5] and remain awake.” MT26:39 Now Jesus went forward a little way and fell forward on his face,[6] praying: “My Father! If it is possible allow this cup[7] to pass me by. But not as I wish, as You will!”[8]
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[1] Gethsemane: Because of its name it may have been an olive grove with a press. Compare John 18:1, 2 and Luke 22:39.
[2] Grieved: Or, KJV: sorrowful; NEB: anguish; NOR: sad; PME: terrible distress.
[3] Intensely distressed: The Greek is A-DEMON-EIN and is also rendered: KJV: very heavy; RSV: great distress; NEB: dismay; WMS: distress of heart; NOR: deeply depressed; PME: misery.
[4] Deeply depressed: Or, KJV: exceeding sorrowful; KNX: ready to die with sorrow; NEB: my heart is ready to break with grief; WEY: crushed with anguish. Luke 22:44 adds, “… getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.” It seems Isaiah 53:3, 10, “… a man meant for pains… Yehowah delighted in crushing him; He caused him to become ill.” The full weight of the world begins to burden his shoulders and a Being who has existed for untold ages since time began is about to face an agonizing death.
[5] Stay here with me: The simple appeal of a friend in dire need which seems impossible to fulfilled. Or, KJV: tarry ye here, and watch with me; RIEU: wait here; GDSP: stay here and keep watch with me. It is clear that “watch” includes prayers.
[6] Jesus went forward a little way and fell forward on his face: Or, ASV: went forward a little; NASB: went a little beyond them; WMS: walked on a few steps and threw himself upon his face; RIEU: prostrated himself in prayer. Luke 22:41 adds, “He himself drew away from them about a stone’s throw.”
[7] This cup: It is the belief of many that this “cup” was the reproachful manner of our Lord’s public execution as an apparent criminal and lawbreaker. Paul applies Psalm 69:9 to Jesus: “The reproaches of those who were reproaching you have fallen upon me.” Jesus also applies Psalm 69:9 to himself (John 2:17). It was not from death Jesus asked to be excused but the reproachful manner. Or, TCNT: let me be spared this cup.
[8] As You will: At this moment the will of the Son is different from that of the Father to whom Jesus bends his own will. The prophecy of Psalm 40:8 must be fulfilled (Hebrews 10:7-9).
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Preceding
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #1 Matthew 26:1-2 – Two Days Before Execution
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #2 Matthew 26:3-5 – Plotting to Seize Jesus
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #3 Matthew 26:6-13 – A Woman to Be Remembered
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #4 Matthew 26:14-16 – The Price of Betrayal
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #5 Matthew 26:17-19 – Passover Preparations
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #6 Matthew 26:20-25 – The Last Passover
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #7 Matthew 26:26-30 – Keep Doing This in My Memory
Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #8 Matthew 26:31-35 – How All Will Be Stumbled This Night
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