Γεθσημανῆ (Gethsēmanē)
Gethsēmanē
Gethsemane
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Gethsemane comes from an Aramaic phrase meaning "oil press." It identifies a specific location just beyond the Kidron Valley, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The Gospel accounts mention this place only twice, in Matthew 26:36 and Mark 14:32, as the spot where Jesus went with his disciples after the Last Supper.
While John’s Gospel refers to the same event happening in a "garden" (John 18:1), Matthew and Mark use this distinctive proper noun. The term points to a functional, agricultural site rather than a formal sanctuary. This concrete setting grounds the narrative in the everyday landscape of first-century Jerusalem, highlighting the humility of the place where Jesus faced his impending suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Gethsemane means "oil press," a humble agricultural spot on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. It was not a temple or palace, but a working place where olives were crushed to produce oil. Jesus chose this ordinary location to meet with His closest friends before His arrest. This choice shows that God meets us in our daily lives and ordinary places, not just in grand religious settings.
In Matthew 26:36, we see Jesus asking His disciples to stay behind while He goes a little further to pray. This moment reveals His deep humanity and the weight of the suffering ahead. It reminds us that even Jesus sought quiet time with the Father during times of great stress. You can find comfort in knowing that your own moments of anxiety or decision-making are not hidden from Him.
Mark 14:32 confirms this gathering at a place named Gethsemane. The simplicity of the setting invites you to bring your own burdens to God without needing perfect words or a special location. His presence in such a common place sanctifies the ordinary rhythms of life, offering peace to those who feel overwhelmed by their circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gethsemane,1×
- Gethsemane1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Γεθσημανί,1×
- Γεθσημανὶ1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 26:36
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”
This verse identifies Gethsemane as the specific location where Jesus instructed His disciples to wait while He moved forward to pray, highlighting the transition from communal fellowship to solitary intercession.
-
Mark 14:32
They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
This occurrence explicitly names the place Gethsemane, grounding the narrative in a real geographical setting that underscores the historical reality of Jesus' impending suffering.