Matthew 26:36-46 · Bible study
Matthew 26:36-46 Commentary: Gethsemane: The Oil Press of Suffering
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Matthew 26:36-46 study: Gethsemane as 'oil press', Jesus' agony, the cup, disciples' failure. Prayer, submission, and the cost of redemption.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Gethsemane, 'oil press', symbolizes the crushing Jesus endures; his prayer shows submission to the Father's will.
- Key words: Gethsemane (oil press), cup (suffering/wrath), watch (stay alert), spirit/flesh (willing vs. weak).
- Main debate: Does 'this cup' refer primarily to physical death or to the full outpouring of divine wrath? Both readings have support in the text and tradition.
- Theological theme: Christ's perfect obedience in the face of suffering; his humanity and deity meet in the garden.
- Best use: Lent and Holy Week preaching, teaching on prayer and temptation, pastoral care for those in anguish.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
36At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.
41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
42A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”
43And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy.
44So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
45Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”
WEB World English Bible 2000
36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”
37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
38Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”
39He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
40He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
41Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”
43He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.
45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”
KJV King James Version 1769
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words.
45Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
36Then come with them doth Jesus to a place called Gethsemane, and he saith to the disciples, `Sit ye here, till having gone away, I shall pray yonder.'
37And having taken Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful, and to be very heavy;
38then saith he to them, `Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul--unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.'
39And having gone forward a little, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, `My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou.'
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, `So! ye were not able one hour to watch with me!
41watch, and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'
42Again, a second time, having gone away, he prayed, saying, `My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me except I drink it, Thy will be done;'
43and having come, he findeth them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44And having left them, having gone away again, he prayed a third time, saying the same word;
45then cometh he unto his disciples, and saith to them, `Sleep on henceforth, and rest! lo, the hour hath come nigh, and the Son of Man is delivered up to the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us go; lo, he hath come nigh who is delivering me up.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
36Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit here until I go away and pray yonder.
37And taking with [him] Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed.
38Then he says to them, My soul is very sorrowful even unto death; remain here and watch with me.
39And going forward a little he fell upon his face, praying and saying, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as thou [wilt].
40And he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, Thus ye have not been able to watch one hour with me?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] ready, but the flesh weak.
42Again going away a second time he prayed saying, My Father, if this cannot pass [from me] unless I drink it, thy will be done.
43And coming he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44And leaving them, he went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45Then he comes to the disciples and says to them, Sleep on now and take your rest; behold, the hour has drawn nigh, and the Son of man is delivered up into the hands of sinners.
46Arise, let us go; behold, he that delivers me up has drawn nigh.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
36Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.
37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
38Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.
39And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them asleep. And he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?
41Watch ye: and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.
43And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.
44And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.
45Then he cometh to his disciples and said to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand: and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise: let us go. Behold he is at hand that will betray me.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 26:36
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Gethsemane marks the beginning of Christ's passion. The name itself, from Hebrew gath (press) and shemen (oil), means 'oil press,' and the location is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives (Clarke; Vincent). Jesus withdraws here deliberately, separating the eight disciples from the inner three (Peter, James, John), whom he had earlier taken to the transfiguration (Clarke). His sorrow is described with two Greek verbs: lupeisthai (to be sorrowful) and adēmonein (to be deeply distressed, anguished). Vincent notes that the second term implies a restlessness, a being 'beside oneself' with grief. Jesus prays three times, asking that 'this cup' pass from him, but each time submits to the Father's will. Calvin observes that in the second prayer Jesus no longer asks for the cup's removal, showing he has conquered fear. The disciples' sleep is explained partly by exhaustion, Luke notes it came from 'sorrow', and partly by weakness of the flesh (Matthew Henry; Gill). When Jesus says 'Sleep on now' in v.45, most commentators read it as irony (Calvin; Gill), though some see a literal permission. The consensus is clear: this scene displays the full humanity of Christ in his struggle, his perfect submission, and the failure of even his closest followers.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Cup as divine wrath: Old Testament metaphor (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17); Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross; the language of 'drinking the cup' in Gethsemane.
- Cup as physical suffering and death: Immediate context of betrayal, arrest, crucifixion; Luke's description of an angel strengthening him; the prayer 'let this cup pass' as a request for deliverance from a violent end.
- Atonement-centered interpretation: The cup includes both physical death and the burden of sin; Jesus' agony is the beginning of his atoning work, not just human fear.
What is clear: Jesus prayed in deep anguish, submitted to the Father's will, and the disciples failed to stay awake and pray.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of Gethsemane | The name means 'oil press,' reflecting the location's function as a place for crushing olives. | Minor variation about whether it was a garden or a village; most agree it was a garden with olive trees. |
| Nature of Jesus' agony | Jesus experienced genuine human sorrow and distress, approaching death itself. | Some emphasize the weight of human sin and divine wrath; others focus on his natural fear of violent death. Both affirm his sinlessness. |
| The cup Jesus prays about | The cup represents the suffering and death he was about to undergo, including his sense of abandonment. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions often see the cup as the entire passion and its saving effects; many Protestant readings stress the cup as God's wrath against sin (e.g., Psalm 75:8). |
| Jesus' knowledge and freedom | Jesus knew he would die and that his death was the Father's will; he went to Gethsemane willingly. | Christians agree that Jesus had both divine foreknowledge and genuine human struggle, though how these relate is a mystery. The prayer 'if it is possible' reflects his human will; the submission 'not what I desire' shows his divine-human unity. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Gethsemane lies across the Kidron Valley, about three-quarters of a mile east of Jerusalem's walls, on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives (Vincent; Clarke). The name 'Gethsemane' (Aramaic Gath-Šemānê) identifies the site with an olive-oil press, a fitting image for the crushing Jesus undergoes. Olive presses of the period used large stone wheels to grind ripe olives into paste, which was then pressed to extract oil. The location was a familiar retreat: Luke 22:39 says Jesus came there 'according to his custom.' He had likely spent previous nights there during the festival week (Poole). The night of the arrest was a full moon, as the Passover always fell at full moon, casting deep shadows and making the garden's low walls and gnarled olive trees visible (Cambridge). Jesus had just instituted the Lord's Supper, predicted Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial, and now leads the eleven out of the city. The 'cup' he prays about is an Old Testament metaphor for the portion God assigns, often a cup of wrath (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17). In the Gospels it represents the full weight of the coming suffering and death. Jesus' posture, falling on his face, was the most intense form of supplication, expressing utter dependence and distress. The threefold prayer echoes other biblical patterns (Paul's threefold request in 2 Corinthians 12:8), and the third time Jesus uses the same words, showing his resolve. The disciples' drowsiness is attributed to 'heavy eyes' (v.43) and in Luke's account to grief (Luke 22:45). Their failure to 'watch and pray' contrasts with Jesus' own vigilance and sets the stage for the test they will soon face.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants that affect the meaning of this passage. A small manuscript variant exists in verse 38: some witnesses add 'Jesus' after 'Then saith he unto them' (Clarke mentions this on the authority of many mss). This does not change the sense. The wording of Jesus' prayers, the number of visits to the disciples, and the triple prayer are stable across the manuscript tradition.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Gethsemane has been a central text for understanding the humanity of Christ. Early Christian writers like Chrysostom emphasised his voluntary suffering and the lesson of prayer in trial. Medieval meditations on the Passion, especially the Stations of the Cross, highlight the isolation of Jesus in the garden. The Reformers, Luther, Calvin, saw here the substitutionary nature of Christ's work: he bears the wrath of God in the place of sinners. In Catholic spirituality, the agony is a model of acceptance of suffering. Protestant hymnody, from 'Go to Dark Gethsemane' to 'Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow,' invites believers to watch with Christ. The passage also features in the Eastern Orthodox tradition of the 'Holy Friday' Matins, where the garden is seen as the place of Christ's voluntary self-offering. Across traditions, the image of the oil press continues to symbolise the crushing that brings forth the anointing oil of salvation.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Place of pressing, Gethsemane (oil press) symbolizes the crushing weight of sin and suffering that Jesus voluntarily takes upon himself. The location is not accidental; it echoes his entire mission.
- Prayer of submission, Jesus prays three times, moving from 'if possible, let this cup pass' to 'if this cup cannot pass, your will be done.' The progression shows that prayer is not about changing God's plan but aligning our will with his.
- Disciples' weakness, The inner circle, who saw Christ's glory on the mount, now see his agony. They cannot stay awake. Jesus' warning, 'Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation', becomes a timeless call to vigilance.
Five-point outline
- Withdrawal to a familiar place, Jesus goes to Gethsemane, a garden he often visited, showing he did not hide from his fate.
- Taking the inner three, Peter, James, and John witness both the transfiguration and the agony, learning that glory and suffering are joined.
- Expressing sorrow to death, Jesus names his anguish with raw honesty. He does not suppress emotion but brings it to the Father.
- Praying through the cup, The threefold prayer reveals a struggle that ends in surrendered trust. The cup is not removed; strength is given to drink it.
- Finding the disciples asleep, Their failure is a mirror for every believer: the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. The answer is not self-effort but persistent prayer.
Illustration hooks
- Waiting room, Staying awake and alert while a loved one is in surgery. The mind wants to hope, but the body wants to collapse.
- Unfair work assignment, A task that seems crushing, but saying 'yes' to it anyway because it is necessary. The desire to avoid it is real; the commitment to duty is deeper.
- Midnight hour, The moment when all support systems fail and you are alone with the decision, the pain, or the fear. That is Gethsemane.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus prayed to be saved from suffering, why didn't the Father answer that prayer? What kind of 'answer' did he receive?
- Why were the disciples so sleepy? Was it just fatigue, or was there something spiritual at work?
- What does it mean for us to 'watch and pray' today? How do we stay alert in a distracted world?
Leading a Discussion
This passage takes us to the emotional and spiritual center of Jesus' journey to the cross. In the garden, we see him fully human, troubled, sorrowful, honest about his desire to avoid suffering. And we see him fully obedient, submissive to the Father even when every part of him wanted another path. As you gather, let the story slow you down. Do not rush to application. Let the weight of these moments press into you.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What details in this passage stand out to you? Notice the physical actions, falling on his face, going a stone's cast, returning three times.
- Interpretation: What does 'this cup' represent? How does the Old Testament use the image of a cup (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17)?
- Interpretation: Why does Matthew mention that Gethsemane means 'oil press'? How does that image connect to Jesus' experience here?
- Interpretation: Jesus prays three times and says the same words (v.44). What does this repetition tell us about prayer and perseverance?
- Application: The disciples' spirit was willing but their flesh was weak. When have you experienced that conflict? How do 'watch and pray' address it?
- Application: Jesus was honest with the Father about his feelings. How does that affect the way you pray when you are afraid or in pain?
- Application: The disciples slept while Jesus suffered alone. In what ways might we be 'sleeping' through the needs of others? How can we stay awake?
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)
| Psalms 22:1 | For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? |
| Psalms 22:2 | My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; in the night season, and am not silent. |
| Psalms 69:1 | For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! |
| Psalms 69:3 | I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail looking for my God. |
| Psalms 69:13 | But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, in an acceptable time. God, in the abundance of your loving kindness, answer me in the truth of your salvation. |
| Psalms 69:15 | Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me. |
| Mark 14:32 | They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” |
| Mark 14:42 | Arise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” |
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 argues that the principal part of the redemption price was paid not on the cross but in Gethsemane's unprecedented agony, where mental anguish forced blood through the pores. The cup Jesus dreaded alludes to the poisoned cup given to condemned criminals; he takes every person's cup and drinks the poison, tasting the death each otherwise would suffer.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that the disciples' sleep in Gethsemane is often misunderstood. He points out that Luke says they slept "for sorrow," their grief being so intense it naturally caused deep sleep. Far from indifference, this was proof of their deep attachment and sympathy with Jesus in his agony.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary draws attention to Jesus' words "My soul" as the single passage where He ascribes a human soul to Himself, highlighting His full humanity. It also observes that Jesus asks for human sympathy in "watch with me," a phrase found only in Matthew.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill points out that Gethsemane means "olive press," a fitting place for Christ to begin treading the winepress of his Father's wrath alone. He stresses that this sorrow was the heaviest of all, heavier even than the cross, because it came directly from God rather than from men. Christ's prayer shows natural human reluctance but perfect submission to the divine will.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Christ's agony in Gethsemane was not fear of physical death but a specific soul-conflict. He was assaulted by the despair and disappointment of humanity,
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry marks Gethsemane as the true beginning of Christ's sufferings, where the sword of the Lord finally awakes against His Fellow. The storm that had been gathering now breaks in earnest, and the agony shows that the long-anticipated hour of divine judgment has arrived.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent opens with the meaning of Gethsemane, "oil-press," and its location beyond the Kidron, then cites Dean Stanley on the eight ancient olive trees that still stand as living witnesses to the gospel events. He draws attention to the Greek word conveying "so utterly unable" and notes that Jesus likely spoke as he heard Judas and his band approaching.