Luke 22:45

KJV

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he rose up {G450} from {G575} prayer {G4335}, and was come {G2064} to {G4314} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, he found {G2147} them {G846} sleeping {G2837} for {G575} sorrow {G3077},

Complete Jewish Bible

On rising from prayer and coming to the talmidim, he found them sleeping because of their grief.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

American Standard Version

And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:45 captures a profoundly poignant moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following Jesus' intense and solitary prayer. Having wrestled with the Father's will and endured immense spiritual agony, Jesus returns to His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—only to discover them overcome by sleep, a state explicitly attributed to their profound sorrow. This scene starkly contrasts Jesus' vigilant suffering with the human frailty and emotional exhaustion of His followers, underscoring the unique burden He was preparing to bear.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Luke's account of Jesus' final hours before His crucifixion. It follows the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the new covenant and predicted Peter's denial ([Luke 22:14-38](/luke/22-14-38 "Luke 22:14-38 - The Last Supper and Predictions")). Jesus then leads His disciples to the Mount of Olives, specifically the Garden of Gethsemane ([Luke 22:39](/luke/22-39 "Luke 22:39 - Jesus Goes to the Mount of Olives")). He instructs them to "pray that you may not enter into temptation" ([Luke 22:40](/luke/22-40 "Luke 22:40 - Jesus' Command to Pray")). While Jesus withdraws to pray in agonizing earnestness, even sweating blood ([Luke 22:41-44](/luke/22-41-44 "Luke 22:41-44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")), the disciples succumb to physical exhaustion. Verse 45 serves as a crucial transition, revealing the disciples' inability to remain vigilant, setting the stage for Jesus' direct confrontation with their weakness in the subsequent verse ([Luke 22:46](/luke/22-46 "Luke 22:46 - Jesus' Exhortation to Pray")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, a familiar place for Jesus and His disciples, likely a private olive grove. This event occurs late at night, after the Passover meal, which traditionally concluded with hymns and a journey to the Mount of Olives. The disciples would have been physically tired from the day's events and the late hour. Culturally, the concept of "watching" (γρηγορέω, _grēgoreō_) carried significant spiritual weight, often implying vigilance against spiritual dangers and readiness for the Master's return, as seen in various parables ([Matthew 24:42](/matthew/24-42 "Matthew 24:42 - Be Ready") or [Mark 13:37](/mark/13-37 "Mark 13:37 - Watch")). Their inability to watch, despite Jesus' explicit command, highlights not just physical fatigue but also a spiritual unpreparedness for the imminent crisis.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:45 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **human weakness and frailty** in the face of overwhelming spiritual and emotional pressure, contrasting sharply with Jesus' divine strength and resolute obedience. The explicit mention of "sorrow" (λύπη, _lypē_) underscores the theme of **suffering and grief**, both Jesus' intense agony and the disciples' empathetic distress. Furthermore, the scene emphasizes **Jesus' solitary burden and unique suffering**, as even His closest companions cannot fully participate in or comprehend the depth of His Gethsemane ordeal. This isolation highlights the unparalleled nature of His atoning work, which He alone could accomplish.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rose up (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** From ἀνά (ana, "up") and ἵστημι (histēmi, "to stand"), this word means "to stand up" or "to arise." Here, it signifies Jesus' physical action of rising from His posture of prayer, indicating the completion of His intense intercession and His readiness to face the next stage of His passion. It conveys a sense of purposeful movement after a period of deep spiritual engagement.
* **sleeping (Greek, _koimáō'_):** Derived from κεῖμαι (keimai, "to lie down"), this verb means "to put to sleep" or, in the passive/reflexive, "to slumber." Figuratively, it can also mean "to decease" or "to be dead." In this context, it describes the disciples' state of deep physical and mental unconsciousness. It implies more than mere drowsiness; it suggests a profound inability to remain awake, almost as if they were "laid low" by their condition.
* **sorrow (Greek, _lýpē'_):** Apparently a primary word, _lýpē_ denotes "sadness," "grief," "pain," or "heaviness." It is a strong term for emotional distress. The phrase "sleeping for sorrow" (ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης, _apo tēs lypēs_) indicates that their sleep was not merely due to physical exhaustion but was a direct consequence or manifestation of the overwhelming grief and distress they felt concerning Jesus' impending fate. This deep emotional burden incapacitated them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he rose up from prayer":** This clause marks the conclusion of Jesus' agonizing Gethsemane prayer, described in the preceding verses. Having poured out His soul to the Father, submitting to His will even to the point of sweating blood, Jesus now physically rises. This action signifies His readiness to move from intense spiritual communion to active engagement with the events of His betrayal and arrest, demonstrating His resolved obedience.
* **"and was come to his disciples":** Jesus, having completed His solitary struggle, returns to the proximity of His chosen companions, Peter, James, and John, who had been asked to "watch and pray." This movement signifies His desire for their companionship and support, even if they could not fully comprehend or share the depth of His spiritual battle. It highlights His human need for fellowship in a moment of extreme vulnerability.
* **"he found them sleeping for sorrow":** This is the poignant climax of the verse. Instead of finding them vigilant and praying as He had commanded, Jesus discovers His disciples profoundly asleep. The crucial addition "for sorrow" provides the underlying reason for their slumber. It was not merely physical fatigue, but an overwhelming emotional burden—the dread, grief, and fear associated with the imminent arrest and suffering of their beloved Master—that led to their physical collapse and inability to stay awake. This detail evokes deep pathos, contrasting Jesus' active suffering with their passive, grief-induced unconsciousness.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:45 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Contrast**, specifically between Jesus' intense spiritual vigilance and the disciples' physical and spiritual lethargy. While Jesus is actively engaged in agonizing prayer, even to the point of sweating blood, His closest followers are found "sleeping." This contrast highlights the unique burden Jesus carried and the vast chasm between His divine resolve and human frailty. There is also profound **Pathos** conveyed through the disciples' condition; their sleep is not presented as mere laziness but as a direct result of "sorrow," evoking sympathy for their overwhelming grief and emotional exhaustion. This detail adds a layer of tragic irony to the scene, as their deep love for Jesus manifests in a way that prevents them from fulfilling His request. Finally, the scene contains subtle **Foreshadowing**; the disciples' inability to stay awake and support Jesus in His hour of greatest need subtly anticipates their later abandonment of Him during His arrest and trial. Their physical sleep can also be seen as **Symbolism** for a certain spiritual unawareness or inability to grasp the full gravity of the spiritual battle unfolding around them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:45 is a profound theological statement on human weakness and the unique nature of Christ's suffering. It underscores that even the most devoted followers, when faced with overwhelming grief and spiritual pressure, can succumb to their human limitations. The disciples' sleep, born of sorrow, highlights the immense weight of the impending events and their inability to bear witness to Jesus' agony in the way He desired. This scene emphasizes that Jesus' Gethsemane struggle was, in essence, a solitary one, a burden He had to carry alone as He prepared to become the atoning sacrifice for humanity. It foreshadows the ultimate isolation of the cross, where He would bear the full weight of sin without human aid.

* [Matthew 26:40-41](/matthew/26-40-41 "Matthew 26:40-41 - Jesus Rebukes His Disciples")
* [Mark 14:37-38](/mark/14-37-38 "Mark 14:37-38 - The Disciples Sleep")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Vigilant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:45 offers a deeply human and relatable glimpse into the struggles of faith and the reality of human limitation. It reminds us that even sincere devotion does not exempt us from moments of weakness, exhaustion, or being overwhelmed by sorrow. The disciples, despite their love for Jesus, were physically and emotionally incapacitated by the profound grief and dread of what was to come. This should foster in us a spirit of humility and self-awareness, recognizing our own need for God's strength when faced with trials. It also calls us to cultivate empathy for others who are suffering, understanding that deep sorrow can manifest in physical and mental exhaustion. While the disciples failed to stay awake, Jesus' example of persistent prayer in the face of agony remains our ultimate model, urging us to lean into spiritual disciplines, especially prayer and vigilance, when life's pressures threaten to overwhelm us. We are called to "watch and pray" not out of our own strength, but in humble reliance on the Spirit, trusting that God's grace is sufficient even in our weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the disciples' sleep for sorrow resonate with your own experiences of being overwhelmed by grief or stress?**
* **What does Jesus' response to their sleep (in the following verse, Luke 22:46) teach us about His compassion for human weakness?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to be more vigilant and prayerful, especially when facing spiritual or emotional challenges?**
* **How does this scene deepen your appreciation for the solitary burden Jesus bore for humanity?**

### FAQ

**Why were the disciples sleeping instead of praying as Jesus asked?**

Answer: The text explicitly states they were "sleeping for sorrow" (ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης, _apo tēs lypēs_). This indicates their sleep was not simply due to laziness or indifference, but was a direct consequence of the overwhelming emotional distress, grief, and fear they felt regarding Jesus' imminent arrest and suffering. The profound sorrow they experienced led to a physical and mental exhaustion that incapacitated them, making it impossible to remain awake and vigilant as Jesus had commanded them to "watch and pray" ([Luke 22:40](/luke/22-40 "Luke 22:40 - Jesus' Command to Pray")). Their human frailty succumbed to the immense emotional weight of the moment.

**Was their sleep a sign of spiritual failure or lack of faith?**

Answer: While their inability to stay awake was a failure to heed Jesus' specific command to "watch and pray" ([Matthew 26:41](/matthew/26-41 "Matthew 26:41 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak")), the text attributes it to "sorrow," not a deliberate act of disobedience or a complete lack of faith. It highlights their human weakness and the limitations of the flesh, even when "the spirit indeed is willing" ([Mark 14:38](/mark/14-38 "Mark 14:38 - Watch and Pray")). Jesus' gentle rebuke in [Luke 22:46](/luke/22-46 "Luke 22:46 - Why Sleep?") suggests understanding rather than harsh condemnation, acknowledging their profound emotional state. It serves as a reminder that even devoted followers can fall short due to physical and emotional exhaustion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:45, with its stark depiction of the disciples' sleep for sorrow, profoundly underscores the unique and solitary nature of Christ's suffering and His ultimate fulfillment of redemptive prophecy. While His closest companions succumbed to their human limitations, Jesus remained awake, wrestling with the Father's will and bearing the crushing weight of humanity's sin and impending judgment alone. This scene in Gethsemane foreshadows the ultimate isolation of the cross, where Jesus would cry out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus Cries Out")), experiencing the full depth of divine abandonment for our sake. His perfect obedience and willingness to endure this solitary agony, even when His disciples could not support Him, reveal Him as the true Suffering Servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who "bore our griefs and carried our sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs")). Unlike the disciples who were overcome by sorrow, Jesus perfectly endured it, not for Himself, but to bring us joy. His Gethsemane agony and subsequent crucifixion are the ultimate acts of love, allowing Him to empathize fully with our weaknesses and sorrows ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")), and ultimately to conquer death and sorrow, promising a future where God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 14:40

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

Mark 14:41

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26:43

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

Matthew 26:40

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Mark 14:37

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?