Luke 22:46

KJV

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Why {G5101} sleep ye {G2518}? rise {G450} and pray {G4336}, lest {G3363} ye enter {G1525} into {G1519} temptation {G3986}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you won’t be put to the test!”

Berean Standard Bible

“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

American Standard Version

and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Garden of Gethsemane, at the precipice of His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus confronts His disciples who have succumbed to sleep instead of heeding His call to watch and pray. His poignant question, "Why sleep ye?" serves as a tender rebuke, immediately followed by the urgent command to "rise and pray," providing the essential spiritual antidote for the impending trials. The critical warning, "lest ye enter into temptation," underscores the profound spiritual danger of complacency and unpreparedness in the face of the intense spiritual warfare and personal testing that awaited them and, indeed, every believer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 22:46 is situated within the intensely dramatic narrative of Jesus' final hours before His arrest, specifically within the Garden of Gethsemane account ([Luke 22:39-46](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus in Gethsemane")). Preceding this verse, Jesus has just experienced profound spiritual agony, praying so fervently that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")). He had explicitly asked Peter, James, and John to "remain here and pray" ([Luke 22:40](/luke/22-40 "Luke 22:40 - Jesus' Instruction to Disciples")), yet upon returning, He finds them repeatedly asleep ([Luke 22:45](/luke/22-45 "Luke 22:45 - Disciples Found Sleeping")). This verse, therefore, serves as Jesus' final, urgent warning and instruction to His closest disciples, highlighting the stark contrast between His spiritual vigilance and their physical and spiritual weariness just moments before His betrayal by Judas ([Luke 22:47-48](/luke/22-47-48 "Luke 22:47-48 - The Betrayal of Jesus")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, the Garden of Gethsemane (meaning "oil press"), was a familiar olive grove on the Mount of Olives, a place Jesus and His disciples often frequented ([John 18:1-2](/john/18-1-2 "John 18:1-2 - Jesus Crosses the Kidron Valley")). This was a common place for quiet reflection and prayer, especially at night. The disciples' sleep, while understandable given the late hour and emotional strain of the Passover meal and subsequent events, stands in stark contrast to the cultural expectation of vigilance, especially during times of crisis or spiritual anticipation. Jewish tradition often involved night watches and prayer, particularly for those awaiting significant events or in times of distress. The impending "temptation" (Gk. _peirasmos_) would have been understood not merely as an enticement to sin, but as a severe test or trial, such as the disciples' fear, flight, and Peter's denial ([Luke 22:54-62](/luke/22-54-62 "Luke 22:54-62 - Peter's Denial of Jesus")), which would challenge their faith and loyalty to Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several critical themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes the **necessity of prayer** as the primary means of spiritual strength and endurance in the face of adversity, a theme consistently modeled by Jesus throughout Luke (e.g., [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray"), [Luke 6:12](/luke/6-12 "Luke 6:12 - Jesus Prays Before Choosing Disciples"), [Luke 11:1-13](/luke/11-1-13 "Luke 11:1-13 - The Lord's Prayer and Persistence in Prayer")). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **spiritual vigilance and preparedness**, contrasting the disciples' spiritual slumber with the imminent spiritual battle. This echoes Jesus' earlier parables about readiness for His return (e.g., [Luke 12:35-40](/luke/12-35-40 "Luke 12:35-40 - Be Ready for the Master's Return")). Lastly, it addresses the pervasive theme of **human weakness versus divine strength**, acknowledging the disciples' physical limitations ("the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" as stated in [Matthew 26:41](/matthew/26-41 "Matthew 26:41 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak")), while simultaneously offering the divine solution—prayer—to overcome this inherent frailty and avoid succumbing to severe trials or "temptation."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sleep (Greek, _katheúdō'_):** This word (G2518) signifies a deep, settled sleep, not merely drowsiness. In this context, it carries a figurative meaning of spiritual lethargy or complacency. The disciples' physical sleep is a metaphor for their spiritual unpreparedness and lack of vigilance, especially in a moment of such profound spiritual crisis for their Master. It implies an unawareness of the spiritual battle raging around them and within them.
* **pray (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** This verb (G4336) denotes a specific act of praying to God, supplicating or worshipping. It is not a casual request but an earnest, intentional communion with the Divine. Jesus' command to "pray" is the direct antidote to spiritual slumber, emphasizing that active, conscious reliance on God through prayer is the essential means to gain strength and discernment against impending trials.
* **temptation (Greek, _peirasmós'_):** This noun (G3986) refers to a putting to proof, a test, or a trial, which can be for good (experience) or for evil (solicitation to sin). In this context, it primarily refers to the intense spiritual pressure and severe trials the disciples were about to face—fear, doubt, denial, and abandonment—which would test their loyalty and faith to the breaking point. It is not merely an enticement to commit a specific sin, but a comprehensive spiritual assault on their resolve.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said unto them":** This phrase, introduced by the conjunction "And" (G2532, _kaí_), connects Jesus' words directly to His return from prayer and discovery of the sleeping disciples. It sets the stage for a direct, personal address, indicating the immediate and urgent nature of His communication.
* **"Why sleep ye?":** This interrogative (G5101, _tís_) is more than a simple question; it functions as a gentle but firm rebuke. Jesus expresses His surprise and disappointment at their lack of vigilance, highlighting the stark contrast between His fervent agony and their relaxed state. It calls them to self-awareness regarding their spiritual condition.
* **"rise and pray":** This is a dual imperative, a direct command from Jesus. "Rise" (G450, _anístēmi_) implies an immediate physical and spiritual awakening, a call to action from their state of repose. Coupled with "pray" (G4336, _proseúchomai_), it presents the essential spiritual discipline required for the moment. It is a command to active spiritual engagement, not passive waiting.
* **"lest ye enter into temptation":** This clause, introduced by "lest" (G3363, _hína mḗ_), provides the crucial reason and urgent warning behind the command to pray. "Enter into" (G1525, _eisérchomai_) here means to come into a state or condition of being overwhelmed by "temptation" (G3986, _peirasmós_). Jesus warns that without prayer, they risk succumbing to the severe trials and spiritual pressures that are imminent, leading to spiritual failure or compromise.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:46 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is evident in Jesus, who has just endured agonizing prayer, finding His disciples, whom He specifically asked to pray, asleep. Their physical state mirrors their spiritual unpreparedness for the impending crisis. The phrase "Why sleep ye?" functions as a **rhetorical question**, not seeking information but expressing disappointment and prompting reflection on their spiritual apathy. The immediate follow-up, "rise and pray," is a direct **imperative**, a forceful command that underscores the urgency and necessity of spiritual action. Furthermore, the entire scene is rich in **symbolism**: the disciples' "sleep" symbolizes spiritual complacency and vulnerability, while Jesus' call to "pray" symbolizes the means to spiritual strength and victory over the "temptation" that represents the spiritual forces arrayed against them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:46 serves as a timeless theological anchor, highlighting the indispensable role of prayer in spiritual warfare and personal endurance. It underscores the reality of human weakness, even among devoted followers, and the ever-present danger of succumbing to spiritual trials without divine empowerment. Jesus' words reveal His pastoral heart, not merely rebuking but also providing the immediate and practical solution to their vulnerability. This passage affirms that active communion with God is not an optional spiritual exercise but a vital defense mechanism against the schemes of the enemy and the inherent frailties of the flesh, equipping believers to stand firm and overcome.

* [Matthew 26:41](/matthew/26-41 "Matthew 26:41 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak")
* [Ephesians 6:18](/ephesians/6-18 "Ephesians 6:18 - Praying at All Times")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober-Minded and Watchful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:46 is a profound call to spiritual vigilance and persistent prayer for every believer. In a world fraught with distractions, anxieties, and spiritual battles, it is easy to fall into a state of spiritual slumber, much like the disciples in Gethsemane. Jesus' question, "Why sleep ye?" resonates through the ages, urging us to examine our own spiritual alertness. Are we awake to the spiritual realities around us, or are we complacent? His command to "rise and pray" is a timeless antidote to spiritual apathy and a powerful invitation to proactive engagement with God. It reminds us that prayer is not merely a last resort in crisis but a continuous, vital discipline that fortifies our spirits, sharpens our discernment, and empowers us to withstand the temptations and trials that inevitably come our way. Our human flesh is indeed weak, prone to fatigue and distraction, but through consistent, fervent prayer, we access the divine strength necessary to overcome our limitations and stand firm in faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I spiritually "sleeping" or complacent, rather than vigilant?**
* **What specific "temptations" or trials am I currently facing, or anticipate facing, that require a renewed commitment to prayer?**
* **How can I make prayer a more consistent and fervent practice in my daily life, moving beyond mere routine to genuine communion with God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "rise" from spiritual apathy and actively engage in prayer as a means of spiritual defense?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "temptation" in this context?**

Answer: In Luke 22:46, "temptation" (Greek _peirasmós_) refers not just to an enticement to sin, but more broadly to a severe test or trial that challenges one's faith, loyalty, and resolve. For the disciples, this would soon manifest as intense fear, the scattering from Jesus, and Peter's denial ([Luke 22:54-62](/luke/22-54-62 "Luke 22:54-62 - Peter's Denial")). Jesus is warning them that without prayer, they would lack the spiritual strength to endure these intense pressures without faltering. It's about being overwhelmed by the trial itself, leading to spiritual failure.

**Why were the disciples sleeping if Jesus had asked them to pray?**

Answer: The text indicates they were "exhausted from sorrow" ([Luke 22:45](/luke/22-45 "Luke 22:45 - Disciples Found Sleeping Again")). While their physical fatigue is understandable given the late hour and the emotional intensity of the Last Supper and Jesus' evident distress, their sleep also symbolizes a spiritual unpreparedness and lack of vigilance. Despite their willingness of spirit, their flesh was weak, highlighting the constant human struggle to maintain spiritual alertness in the face of physical and emotional strain, a point Jesus Himself acknowledges in [Matthew 26:41](/matthew/26-41 "Matthew 26:41 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:46, though a warning to the disciples, profoundly points to Christ's unique fulfillment of perfect vigilance and unwavering obedience. While the disciples succumbed to sleep and ultimately scattered, Jesus remained awake, prayed fervently, and faced the ultimate "temptation" of the cross without faltering. He did not "enter into temptation" in the sense of succumbing to sin or failing His mission, but rather endured the full weight of the world's sin and the Father's wrath, emerging victorious. His agony in Gethsemane, detailed in [Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42-44 "Luke 22:42-44 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"), demonstrates His perfect reliance on the Father through prayer, even to the point of "sweating great drops of blood." This perfect obedience and vigilance of Christ, in stark contrast to the disciples' weakness, is what ultimately secured salvation for humanity. He is the one who perfectly "rose and prayed" to overcome the ultimate temptation, enabling believers, through His Spirit, to also "rise and pray" and find strength in their own trials, knowing that He was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). His victory over temptation provides the foundation for our own ability to overcome, as we are united with Him in His triumph ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

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

Luke 22:40

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Jonah 1:6

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Proverbs 6:4

Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Proverbs 6:11

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.