Luke 22:39-46 · Bible study
Luke 22:39-46 Commentary: Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Luke emphasize Jesus' habit of going to the Mount of Olives? Explore the agony, angel, and surrender in this passage.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus prays in agony, submits to the Father's will, and models prayerful reliance in the face of suffering.
- Key words: custom (ἔθος, ethos), cup (ποτήριον, potērion), agony (ἀγωνία, agōnia), strengthen (ἐνισχύω, enischuō), grief (λύπη, lupē).
- Main debate: The authenticity of verses 43-44 (angel and bloody sweat) due to manuscript omissions.
- Theological theme: Christ's full humanity and obedient submission to the Father's will.
- Best use: Passion narrative study, teaching on prayer, pastoral care in suffering, and spiritual warfare.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.
40When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”
41And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,
42“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
43Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
44And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
46“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
39He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.
40When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.”
41He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,
42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
43An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
44Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
45When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief,
46and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
KJV King James Version 1769
39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
39And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.
40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,
42saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
45And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow,
46and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
39And having gone forth, he went on, according to custom, to the mount of the Olives, and his disciples also followed him,
40and having come to the place, he said to them, `Pray ye not to enter into temptation.'
41And he was withdrawn from them, as it were a stone's cast, and having fallen on the knees he was praying,
42saying, `Father, if Thou be counselling to make this cup pass from me--;but, not my will, but Thine be done.' --
43And there appeared to him a messenger from heaven strengthening him;
44and having been in agony, he was more earnestly praying, and his sweat became, as it were, great drops of blood falling upon the ground.
45And having risen up from the prayer, having come unto the disciples, he found them sleeping from the sorrow,
46and he said to them, `Why do ye sleep? having risen, pray that ye may not enter into temptation.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
39And going forth he went according to his custom to the mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him.
40And when he was at the place he said to them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and having knelt down he prayed,
42saying, Father, if thou wilt remove this cup from me: — but then, not my will, but thine be done.
43And an angel appeared to him from heaven strengthening him.
44And being in conflict he prayed more intently. And his sweat became as great drops of blood, falling down upon the earth.
45And rising up from his prayer, coming to the disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.
46And he said to them, Why sleep ye? rise up and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
39And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him.
40And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
41And he was withdrawn away from them a stone's cast. And kneeling down, he prayed.
42Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done.
43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer.
44And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.
45And when he rose up from prayer and was come to the disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow.
46And he said to them: Why sleep you? Arise: pray: lest you enter into temptation.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 22:39
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Luke's account of Gethsemane is condensed yet rich with unique details. Lange notes that Luke omits the threefold prayer and the selection of Peter, James, and John, but adds the bloody sweat and the strengthening angel. Adam Clarke argues that these details prove Jesus' full humanity: as man, he needed an angel's support for his worn body. Barnes follows the same line, stressing that the angel strengthened Jesus' human nature, not his divine nature, which does not need help. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown provides a sequential harmony of all Gospels, showing that Jesus wrestled with the cup as a terrible reality, yet submitted completely: 'It is no struggle between a reluctant and a compliant will, but between two views of one event.' Matthew Henry sees the agony as Jesus making his soul an offering for sin, feeling the weight of divine wrath. Vincent's Word Studies notes that the verb ἀπεσπάσθη (withdrew, v.41) means 'torn away,' showing Jesus' reluctance to leave his disciples. The core consensus: Jesus entered a real, intense struggle of soul, prayed with full surrender, and invited his disciples to pray that they not fall into temptation.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal physical phenomenon: Reads the sweat 'like drops of blood' as actual hematohidrosis, supported by medical cases and early commentators like Clarke, who see it as proof of Jesus' real humanity.
- Symbolic/metaphorical: Emphasizes the word 'like' (ὡσεί), suggesting a simile for great drops, not necessarily actual blood. This view focuses on the intensity of Jesus' emotional agony.
- Textual interpolation: Argues that verses 43-44 are later additions, citing their absence in key early manuscripts (P75, B) and stylistic characteristics that some consider non-Lukan.
What is clear: All traditions agree that Jesus experienced intense anguish, prayed earnestly, and submitted to the Father's will, setting the pattern for disciples to pray in times of trial.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historicity of the bloody sweat | The passage describes Jesus' intense physical and emotional anguish. | Some accept it as literal hematohidrosis (sweating blood); others understand 'like drops of blood' as a simile for large, heavy drops. Christians differ, but both readings affirm the reality of Jesus' agony. |
| Authenticity of verses 43-44 | These verses are present in the majority of Greek manuscripts and in most early translations. | Some early manuscripts (P75, A, B, and the first corrector of א) omit them, leading some scholars to argue they were added later for doctrinal emphasis. Other scholars defend them as original, citing strong external and internal evidence for inclusion. |
| Meaning of the cup | The cup symbolizes suffering, likely the wrath of God against sin that Jesus would bear on the cross. | Some emphasize the cup as physical suffering and death; others stress the spiritual weight of separation from the Father. Both views affirm that the cup represents the cost of atonement. |
| The disciples' failure | The disciples slept instead of praying, despite Jesus' warning. | Luke alone notes they slept 'from grief,' causing some to see compassion for their weakness. Others still see it as a moral failure that exposes human frailty. Both agree that Jesus lovingly corrects them. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Mount of Olives held deep significance in Jesus' ministry. Luke mentions in 21:37 that Jesus spent nights there during his final week. The phrase 'as his custom was' (κατὰ τὸ ἔθος) indicates this was his regular practice, a deliberate pattern, not a last-minute flight. The garden at its foot, Gethsemane (meaning 'oil press'), was known to Judas (John 18:2), making Jesus' choice to go there an act of willing vulnerability. In Jewish thought, the Mount of Olives was tied to messianic expectation (Zechariah 14:4), and the Passover season amplified themes of deliverance and suffering.
The 'cup' (ποτήριον) is a powerful Old Testament image. It represents God's wrath poured out on sin (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Ezekiel 23:31-34). By asking the Father to remove it, Jesus does not rebel; he recoils as a human being facing the full reality of what taking the world's sin will cost. The companion Gospels (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26) show that after the Last Supper, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn and went out, a solemn liturgical movement. Luke alone notes that the disciples were sleeping 'from grief' (ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης), a tender detail that explains, without excusing, their failure. Roman soldiers and temple guards would soon arrive, armed, but Jesus' calm habit of prayer already marks him as the one in control, even in agony.
Textual Notes
The Cambridge Bible and several other commentators note that verses 43-44 are absent from some early and important manuscripts, including P75, A, B, and the first corrector of א. Jerome and Hilary mention that these verses were omitted in some copies of their day. However, they are present in the majority of Greek manuscripts, the Vulgate, the Syriac, and other early versions. The internal evidence, vocabulary and style consistent with Luke, leads many scholars to regard them as authentic. Textual critics remain divided; the verses are included in modern critical editions (e.g., NA28) but with brackets to indicate the uncertainty. The rest of the passage (vv.39-42, 45-46) shows no significant textual variants among the consulted sources.
Reception History
The Gethsemane narrative has shaped Christian spirituality across traditions. Early church fathers like Jerome and Augustine wrestled with the meaning of Jesus' 'agony,' seeing it as proof that he took on full human nature. The angel's ministry was read as a type of grace given to the suffering faithful. In the medieval period, this passage became central to devotion to the Passion; the rosary's 'Agony in the Garden' decade draws directly from it. Reformers such as Luther and Calvin emphasized the prayer of submission as the model for believers facing trials. Hymns like 'Go to Dark Gethsemane' (James Montgomery, 1820) and 'In the Hour of Trial' have used these verses to call Christians to watchfulness and surrender. The bloody sweat has been a subject of both medical and theological curiosity, with many seeing it as a sign of Jesus' extreme distress. Across traditions, this passage is read on Holy Thursday and in Lenten observance, inviting the Church to enter Jesus' struggle and learn to pray 'not my will, but Yours.'
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus' holy habit (v.39): He went 'as his custom was.' The Mount of Olives was his place of prayer and preparation. In the face of betrayal and death, Jesus did not improvise, he returned to the pattern of his life.
- The cup of suffering (vv.42-44): Jesus prays with raw honesty: 'remove this cup.' Yet he submits: 'not my will, but yours, be done.' The agony reveals his full humanity; the surrender reveals his perfect obedience.
- The admonition to watch (vv.40,46): Jesus commands the disciples to pray against temptation. Their sleep, from grief, becomes a warning: even genuine sorrow cannot protect us from spiritual failure without prayer.
Five-point outline
- Custom: Jesus walks deliberately into his passion (v.39)
- Cup: The prayer that wrestles with suffering (vv.41-42)
- Strengthening: An angel ministers to the suffering Son (v.43)
- Agony: The bloody sweat shows the cost of our redemption (v.44)
- Admonition: The disciples' sleep becomes a lesson for all (vv.45-46)
Illustration hooks
- Prayer habits: A family that always prays together before a difficult decision, the custom anchors them when crisis hits.
- The 'cup' we cannot avoid: A loved one's terminal diagnosis, a financial collapse, times when we ask God to take it away, but must trust his will.
- Sleeping from grief: A friend who stops seeking God after a heartbreak, not from rebellion but from exhaustion, and needs gentle awakening.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does God sometimes not remove the 'cup' of suffering, even when we beg?
- What does 'not my will, but yours' look like in daily life?
- How can we stay awake spiritually when grief exhausts us?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Jesus at his most human. He prays with raw honesty, sweats blood, and is strengthened by an angel. Meanwhile, the disciples fail to stay awake. Luke's account invites us to see both Jesus' surrender and our own weakness.
Discussion questions
- Read verse 39. Why does Luke mention that Jesus went 'as his custom was'? How does a prayer habit prepare us for crisis?
- In verses 40 and 46, Jesus tells the disciples to 'pray that you don't enter into temptation.' What kind of temptation do you think he means, the temptation to abandon him, to fight, or something else?
- Jesus asks the Father to remove the cup. What is 'the cup' in this context (see also Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17)? Why does Jesus still submit?
- An angel appears to strengthen Jesus (v.43). Why would Jesus, who is divine, need an angel? What does this tell us about his humanity?
- The sweat like drops of blood (v.44) is unique to Luke. What does this physical detail communicate about the intensity of Jesus' struggle?
- Luke says the disciples were sleeping 'from grief' (v.45). How does knowing the cause change your view of their failure? What can exhaustion do to our spiritual vigilance?
- Jesus wakes them and repeats his command to pray. If you were one of the disciples, how would you feel? What does Jesus' patience say about his care for us when we fail?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 21:1 | When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, |
| Matthew 26:30 | When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. |
| 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.” |
| Matthew 26:38 | Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.” |
| Mark 11:11 | Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. |
| Mark 11:19 | When evening came, he went out of the city. |
| Mark 13:3 | As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, |
| Mark 14:26 | When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke insists the bloody sweat was actual blood, not sweat merely resembling blood drops. He argues it came from preternatural mental anguish, not fear of death, which could not touch Christ. For Clarke, both the angelic strengthening and this physical phenomenon fully confirm the reality of Jesus' human suffering.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes defends the angel's appearance by arguing that Jesus' divinity does not make the help unnecessary. His human nature was truly suffering, and God's usual way is to sustain the afflicted through others, even His own Son in that humanity.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator highlights Luke's phrase "he was withdrawn," noting the Greek literally means "tore himself away," revealing Jesus' reluctance to leave his disciples. The agony is not mere fear of death but the sinless Saviour bearing the world's guilt. The "great drops of blood" describes sweat falling thick like
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB interprets Jesus' Gethsemane agony not as a conflict between a reluctant and a compliant will, but between two views of the same event: the cup as revolting in itself and as welcome as the Father's will. This internal victory of the will, anticipating the cross, is the distinctive work of that night.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees Christ's agony as a deliberate priestly act: he made his own soul an offering for sin by letting himself feel the full horror of God's wrath that sinners deserved. Like a sacrifice consumed by fire from heaven, Christ voluntarily received those impressions, yet he gave the powers of darkness every advantage and still conquered them.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the medical language Luke uses, noting that terms like "torn away," "clots," and the progression "having become in an agony" reflect a physician's precise observation. The word for "appeared" is the one used for visions, and the strengthening angel is described with a rare term found elsewhere only in Acts.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley pictures Jesus in Gethsemane wrestling directly with the powers of darkness and the crushing weight of God’s wrath. The sweat like great drops of blood was forced from his pores by the sheer vehemence of his soul’s distress, not merely by physical strain.