Mark 14:37

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he cometh {G2064}, and {G2532} findeth {G2147} them {G846} sleeping {G2518}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto Peter {G4074}, Simon {G4613}, sleepest thou {G2518}? couldest {G2480} not {G3756} thou watch {G1127} one {G3391} hour {G5610}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Kefa, "Shim`on, are you asleep? Couldn't you stay awake one hour?

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:37 captures a profoundly poignant moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing Jesus' deep human anguish and His disciples' inability to remain vigilant. After withdrawing to pray in extreme agony, Jesus returns to find Peter, James, and John—His closest companions—succumbing to sleep. His direct, sorrowful question to Peter, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?", underscores both His disappointment and the critical nature of the spiritual battle unfolding, highlighting the stark contrast between His agony and their slumber.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' intense prayer in Gethsemane, where He grapples with the overwhelming weight of the cross, asking the Father if the cup might pass from Him ([Mark 14:32-36](/mark/14-32-36 "Mark 14:32-36 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Having brought Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden and explicitly asked them to "watch with Him," Jesus returns to find them failing in this simple request. This scene is repeated twice more, intensifying the sense of the disciples' spiritual dullness and Jesus' isolated suffering, setting the stage for His betrayal and arrest that immediately follow ([Mark 14:43-46](/mark/14-43-46 "Mark 14:43-46 - Jesus' Betrayal and Arrest")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives, a place Jesus and His disciples frequented ([John 18:2](/john/18-2 "John 18:2 - Jesus Often Met There with His Disciples")). This was a common olive grove, likely providing some privacy for prayer. The Passover season meant Jerusalem was crowded, and the events were unfolding late at night, after the Last Supper. The disciples' physical exhaustion is understandable given the late hour and the emotional intensity of the preceding events. However, Jesus' request for "one hour" of watchfulness emphasizes the brevity and urgency of the need, contrasting with the profound spiritual stakes of the hour, which would culminate in the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully portrays **Jesus' Humanity and Suffering**, revealing His profound distress and His longing for companionship and prayerful support from His closest friends. Their inability to stay awake highlights the theme of **Human Weakness versus Spiritual Willingness**, echoing Jesus' later statement in [Mark 14:38](/mark/14-38 "Mark 14:38 - The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak") that "the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Jesus' direct question to Peter also serves as a **Call to Vigilance**, not just for that moment but for all believers to remain spiritually alert against temptation. Furthermore, Peter's specific mention by his original name "Simon" and his failure to watch **Foreshadows his Impending Denial** of Jesus, despite his earlier bold declarations of loyalty ([Mark 14:29-31](/mark/14-29-31 "Mark 14:29-31 - Peter's Boast and Jesus' Prediction")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful arrival or return. Here, Jesus returns to His disciples after a period of intense, solitary prayer. The repeated "cometh" in the Gethsemane narrative underscores His active seeking of His disciples and His anticipation of their support, making their slumber all the more disheartening upon His "finding" them.
* **sleeping (Greek, _katheúdō'_):** This word literally means to lie down to rest or to fall asleep. In this context, it carries a figurative weight, implying not just physical slumber but also a spiritual dullness or lack of vigilance. Jesus' question directly challenges this state, contrasting their deep sleep with the spiritual alertness He required in that critical hour.
* **watch (Greek, _grēgoreúō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to keep awake," this term implies vigilance, alertness, and spiritual readiness. It is not merely about physical wakefulness but a conscious, active state of spiritual attentiveness, preparedness for temptation, and prayerful intercession. Jesus' command to "watch" is a call to spiritual warfare and steadfastness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping":** This clause sets the scene of Jesus' return from His agonizing prayer. The use of "cometh" (repeated from earlier in the narrative) emphasizes His intentional movement back to His disciples, expecting to find them engaged in the watchfulness He had commanded. The discovery that they are "sleeping" immediately introduces the central tension of the verse – the stark contrast between Jesus' profound spiritual struggle and His closest disciples' physical and spiritual unawareness.
* **"and saith unto Peter, 'Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?'":** Jesus' direct address to Peter by his original name, "Simon," rather than "Peter" (meaning "rock"), subtly highlights his human frailty and instability in that moment, foreshadowing his upcoming denial. The first question, "sleepest thou?", is a direct accusation and expression of disappointment. The second, "couldest not thou watch one hour?", is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the brevity of the requested vigil against the immense spiritual significance of the moment. It underscores the disciples' failure to provide even minimal support in His time of ultimate need.

#### Literary Devices
Mark's account in [Mark 14:37](/mark/14-37 "Mark 14:37 - Jesus Finds Disciples Sleeping") employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, as Jesus' questions to Peter ("Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?") are not posed to elicit information but to express disappointment, highlight a failure, and emphasize the gravity of the situation. There is a strong element of **Irony** present: Jesus, the Son of God, is in extreme agony, wrestling with the weight of cosmic sin, while His chosen human companions, whom He asked to support Him through prayer, are overcome by sleep. This dramatic contrast underscores the profound isolation of Jesus' suffering. Additionally, the scene serves as **Foreshadowing**, particularly for Peter. His inability to stay awake and watch, despite his earlier bold claims of loyalty, subtly prepares the reader for his subsequent denial of Jesus later that night ([Mark 14:66-72](/mark/14-66-72 "Mark 14:66-72 - Peter Denies Jesus")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:37 profoundly illustrates the chasm between human weakness and divine strength, and the critical importance of spiritual vigilance in the face of temptation. Jesus, in His full humanity, expresses deep sorrow and a need for companionship in His darkest hour, yet His closest disciples succumb to physical and spiritual slumber. This highlights the universal human propensity to fail, even when the spirit is willing, and underscores the necessity of divine grace to empower watchfulness. The "one hour" emphasizes that even a brief period of focused spiritual discipline can be crucial in times of spiritual warfare, a lesson that resonates throughout Christian history regarding the importance of prayer and perseverance.

* [Matthew 26:40](/matthew/26-40 "Matthew 26:40 - Jesus Finds Disciples Sleeping")
* [Luke 22:45](/luke/22-45 "Luke 22:45 - Jesus Finds Disciples Sleeping")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Watchful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:37 serves as a timeless and urgent call for believers to cultivate spiritual vigilance and consistent prayer. In our own lives, we often face "Gethsemane moments"—times of intense spiritual struggle, temptation, or profound sorrow—where the temptation to grow weary, distracted, or spiritually drowsy is strong. Jesus' gentle yet pointed rebuke to Peter reminds us that even a short period of focused watchfulness can make a significant difference in our spiritual fortitude. This passage challenges us to examine our own spiritual disciplines: Are we truly watching and praying, or are we succumbing to spiritual slumber, neglecting the very practices that fortify us against the schemes of the enemy and the weaknesses of our flesh? It also underscores the importance of mutual support within the body of Christ, urging us to be present and prayerfully supportive of fellow believers, especially those enduring deep spiritual agony. Our reliance must not be on our own strength, but on God's grace to empower us to remain alert and engaged in the spiritual battle.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most prone to spiritual "sleep" or drowsiness?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater spiritual vigilance and consistent prayer in your daily routine?**
* **How does Jesus' desire for companionship in Gethsemane inform your understanding of the importance of Christian community and mutual support?**
* **Considering Peter's failure, what does this verse teach you about the danger of overconfidence and the need for humility in your spiritual walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus specifically address Peter by "Simon" instead of "Peter"?**

Answer: Jesus' use of "Simon" (his original, human name) instead of "Peter" (the name meaning "rock" that Jesus had given him, signifying his future role) is highly significant. It subtly highlights Peter's human weakness and instability in that moment, contrasting with the steadfastness implied by "Peter." It serves as a poignant reminder of his frailty and foreshadows his impending denial of Jesus, despite his earlier bold declarations of loyalty. It underscores that even the one destined to be a "rock" could succumb to human weakness and spiritual slumber.

**What is the significance of Jesus asking, "couldest not thou watch one hour?"**

Answer: The phrase "one hour" emphasizes the brevity of the requested vigil in contrast to the immense spiritual significance of the moment. It highlights that Jesus was not asking for an unreasonable or prolonged period of watchfulness, but a relatively short time of prayerful support. This makes the disciples' failure all the more striking. The "hour" likely refers to the critical, decisive period of spiritual warfare Jesus was enduring, where every moment counted in His preparation to face the cross. It serves as a timeless reminder that even brief, focused periods of spiritual discipline and prayer are vital, especially in times of intense spiritual battle or temptation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:37, though depicting the disciples' weakness, powerfully magnifies the perfect obedience and solitary strength of Christ. While His closest companions succumbed to sleep, Jesus remained awake, wrestling in prayer, fully embracing the Father's will, even unto death. This moment in Gethsemane, where Jesus faced the full weight of humanity's sin and the Father's wrath, perfectly foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The disciples' inability to "watch one hour" underscores the profound truth that no human effort or vigilance could accomplish the redemption needed. It was Jesus alone, the perfect Lamb of God, who fully watched, prayed, and obeyed, demonstrating a vigilance and submission that humanity could not muster. His perfect obedience in Gethsemane, leading to His atoning death, becomes the source of our strength, enabling us to "watch and pray" through the power of His indwelling Spirit, as He himself taught in [Mark 14:38](/mark/14-38 "The Spirit is Willing, but the Flesh is Weak"). Our salvation and ability to overcome temptation are not rooted in our own capacity to stay awake, but in His perfect wakefulness and sacrifice, which grants us access to the very power of God ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")). He is the one who "suffered when tempted, and is able to help those who are being tempted" ([Hebrews 2:18](/hebrews/2-18 "Hebrews 2:18 - Jesus Suffered When Tempted")).

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

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 14:29

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet [will] not I.

Mark 14:31

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

2 Samuel 16:17

And Absalom said to Hushai, [Is] this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

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.

Hebrews 12:3

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.