Luke 22:41

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

And {G2532} he {G846} was withdrawn {G645} from {G575} them {G846} about {G5616} a stone's {G3037} cast {G1000}, and {G2532} kneeled down {G5087}{G1119}, and prayed {G4336},

He went about a stone’s throw away from them, kneeled down and prayed,

And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,

And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,

Luke 22:41 provides a poignant glimpse into Jesus' profound spiritual struggle and unwavering devotion just hours before His crucifixion. This verse captures a moment of intense solitude and earnest prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing the depth of His humanity and His complete reliance on the Father.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Last Supper and Jesus' prophecy of Peter's denial, as well as His instructions to the disciples to "pray that ye enter not into temptation." Jesus has led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, specifically to a place called Gethsemane. While He instructs most of them to sit, He takes Peter, James, and John further with Him, expressing His soul's deep sorrow. Luke 22:41 then describes Jesus withdrawing even from these closest disciples, seeking a private space for communion with God in His hour of greatest need. This setting underscores the immense spiritual and emotional pressure Jesus was under, preparing for the ultimate sacrifice.

Key Themes

  • Solitude in Prayer: Jesus deliberately separates Himself, even from His inner circle, to engage in a deeply personal and intimate conversation with God. This highlights the importance of private, focused prayer, especially during times of immense distress or decision.
  • Humility and Submission: The act of "kneeling down" is a universal posture of reverence, humility, and earnest supplication. It signifies Jesus' complete submission to the Father's will, even when that will involved profound suffering.
  • The Humanity of Christ: This scene powerfully illustrates Jesus' true humanity. He experiences profound anguish and the need to pray intensely, just as any human might in the face of overwhelming fear or sorrow. His prayer is not a theatrical display but a genuine outpouring of His heart.
  • Preparation for Trial: Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane serves as His spiritual preparation for the horrific ordeal of His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It is a model for believers to seek God's strength and guidance before facing significant challenges or temptations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "was withdrawn" comes from the Greek word apospao (ἀποσπάω), which means to draw off, tear away, or separate. This implies a deliberate and perhaps difficult act of pulling Himself away from even His closest companions. The distance, "about a stone's cast," emphasizes a desire for solitude and a focused, undistracted communion with the Father. The act of "kneeled down" (Greek: tithemi ta gonata, literally "placed the knees") emphasizes a posture of deep reverence, humility, and intense supplication, indicative of the earnestness of His prayer.

Related Scriptures

This pivotal moment in Gethsemane is central to understanding Jesus' mission and His relationship with the Father. His prayer here sets the stage for His ultimate obedience. We see the depth of His struggle and submission further described in Luke 22:42, where He prays for the Father's will to be done, even while desiring the cup to pass from Him. The intensity of His agony is powerfully depicted in Luke 22:44, where "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood." This scene contrasts sharply with the disciples' inability to stay awake and pray, as noted in Luke 22:46, highlighting the spiritual vigilance required in times of temptation. Jesus' example here echoes His earlier teachings on the importance of private prayer, as seen in Matthew 6:6.

Practical Application

Luke 22:41 offers profound lessons for believers today. It teaches us the critical importance of setting aside time for private prayer, especially when facing significant challenges, temptations, or difficult decisions. Like Jesus, we are called to humble ourselves before God, submitting our will to His, trusting in His divine plan even when it involves suffering or discomfort. This verse encourages us to seek God's strength and comfort in our most vulnerable moments, knowing that even Christ Himself found it necessary to draw near to the Father in His deepest agony. It reminds us that prayer is our vital lifeline to divine power and peace.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 26:39

    And 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].

  • Mark 14:35

    And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

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