Luke 22:44

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And {G2532} being {G1096} in {G1722} an agony {G74} he prayed {G4336} more earnestly {G1617}: and {G1161} his {G846} sweat {G2402} was {G1096} as it were {G5616} great drops {G2361} of blood {G129} falling down {G2597} to {G1909} the ground {G1093}.

and in great anguish he prayed more intensely, so that his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

Luke 22:44 describes a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus Christ, capturing His profound suffering and unwavering commitment just hours before His crucifixion. This verse offers a stark glimpse into the physical and spiritual agony He endured for humanity.

Context

This verse is set in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives, during the night leading up to Jesus' betrayal and arrest. Having shared the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus withdrew to pray, knowing full well the suffering that awaited Him. His disciples, whom He had asked to watch and pray, fell asleep. This intense prayer, often referred to as Jesus' agony in the Garden, reveals the depth of His struggle and His ultimate submission to His Father's will.

Key Themes

  • The Humanity of Christ: This verse powerfully underscores the profound humanity of Jesus. He was not immune to fear, sorrow, or physical distress. His agony demonstrates that He truly experienced the full range of human emotions and suffering, making Him a compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses.
  • Intense Prayer and Submission: Despite His anguish, Jesus prayed "more earnestly." This highlights the power and necessity of persistent prayer, especially in times of extreme trial. His prayer was not a plea to escape God's will, but a fervent expression of His desire for the Father's way, even if it meant immense suffering. His ultimate submission is a model for believers.
  • The Burden of Sin: The "great drops of blood" are a vivid manifestation of the spiritual and emotional weight Jesus was bearing. He was anticipating not only the physical pain of the cross but the immeasurable burden of bearing the sins of the world upon Himself. This suffering was unique and unparalleled.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "agony" is agonia (ἀγωνία), from which we get our English word "agony." It signifies a struggle, a contest, or an intense wrestling match. This isn't just discomfort, but a profound, internal battle. The phrase "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood" uses the Greek word hosei (ὡσεί), meaning "as if" or "like," indicating a simile. While some interpret this as sweat so profuse it resembled blood, many scholars believe it refers to a rare medical condition called hematidrosis (or hemohidrosis), where extreme psychological stress causes capillaries to rupture, mixing blood with sweat. This phenomenon underscores the extraordinary level of stress Jesus was under.

Practical Application

Luke 22:44 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today:

  • Empathy in Suffering: Knowing that Jesus experienced such deep physical and emotional agony means He can truly empathize with our struggles, fears, and pain. We can bring our darkest moments to Him, confident that He understands.
  • Model for Prayer: Jesus' earnest prayer in His greatest hour of need teaches us the importance of persistent, heartfelt prayer, especially when facing overwhelming circumstances. It's a call to honest communication with God, even when expressing our deepest fears.
  • Depth of Sacrifice: This verse vividly illustrates the immense cost of our salvation. The intensity of Jesus' suffering in Gethsemane highlights the magnitude of His love and His willingness to endure everything necessary to fulfill God's redemptive plan.
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.

  • Lamentations 1:12

    ¶ [Is it] nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted [me] in the day of his fierce anger.

  • Hebrews 5:7

    Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

  • Psalms 22:21

    Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

  • Psalms 130:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

  • Psalms 130:2

    Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

  • Isaiah 53:10

    ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

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