Mark 14:40

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

And {G2532} when he returned {G5290}, he found {G2147} them {G846} asleep {G2518} again {G3825},(for {G1063} their {G846} eyes {G3788} were {G2258} heavy {G916},) neither {G2532}{G3756} wist they {G1492} what {G5101} to answer {G611} him {G846}.

and again he came and found them sleeping, their eyes were so very heavy; and they didn't know what to answer him.

And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.

And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him.

Commentary

Mark 14:40 captures a poignant moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before Jesus' crucifixion. For the second time, Jesus returns from His solitary prayer to find His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—asleep, despite His earnest request for them to "watch and pray" with Him. The verse notes that "their eyes were heavy," and they were unable to offer Him any explanation or comfort.

Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of Jesus' intense spiritual struggle and prayer in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-42). After instructing His chosen disciples to stay awake and pray, Jesus withdraws to wrestle with the overwhelming prospect of bearing the sins of humanity and facing the cross. His discovery of their sleepiness, first in Mark 14:37 and now again in this verse, underscores the profound solitude of His suffering and the human frailty even of those closest to Him. This scene vividly portrays the contrast between Jesus' perfect vigilance and the disciples' inability to remain spiritually alert.

Key Themes

  • Human Weakness vs. Spiritual Readiness: The disciples' repeated failure to stay awake highlights the stark difference between the spirit's willingness and the flesh's weakness, a truth Jesus Himself articulated in Mark 14:38. It illustrates the common human struggle to maintain spiritual vigilance, especially during times of immense pressure or spiritual battle.
  • The Solitude of Christ's Suffering: Jesus faced the ultimate spiritual and emotional agony alone. Even His most trusted companions could not provide the support He requested, emphasizing the unique and solitary burden of His atoning work for humanity.
  • Lack of Comprehension: The phrase "neither wist they what to answer him" suggests more than just embarrassment; it implies a profound lack of understanding regarding the gravity of the moment and the spiritual warfare Jesus was enduring. They could not fully grasp the weight of His impending sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "their eyes were heavy" comes from the Greek word barys (βαρύς), meaning "heavy" or "weighty." This suggests a profound, almost overwhelming physical exhaustion or spiritual lethargy, rather than just a casual dozing off. It speaks to a deep-seated inability to stay awake. The archaic word "wist" means "knew" or "understood." Their inability to answer indicates they were caught off guard and likely felt a sense of shame or confusion, unable to justify their repeated failure to watch and pray as Jesus had asked.

Practical Application

Mark 14:40 serves as a timeless reminder for believers about the critical importance of spiritual watchfulness and persistent prayer. We, too, can become spiritually drowsy when we should be most vigilant, especially in the face of temptation or during times of spiritual trial. This passage calls us to self-examination, encouraging us to identify areas where our "flesh is weak" and to intentionally lean on God's strength to remain alert and faithful. It also deepens our reverence for Jesus' unparalleled commitment and solitary suffering, as He bore the immense weight of sin alone, securing our salvation (see Isaiah 53:4-5).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 9:33

    And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

  • Mark 9:34

    But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who [should be] the greatest.

  • Romans 3:19

    ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

  • Genesis 44:16

    And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we [are] my lord's servants, both we, and [he] also with whom the cup is found.
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