Matthew 26:36

KJV

¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} cometh {G2064} Jesus {G2424} with {G3326} them {G846} unto {G1519} a place {G5564} called {G3004} Gethsemane {G1068}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto the disciples {G3101}, Sit ye {G2523} here {G847}, while {G2193}{G3739} I go {G565} and pray {G4336} yonder {G1563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yeshua went with his talmidim to a place called Gat-Sh'manim and said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

American Standard Version

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:36 initiates the profoundly poignant scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus, on the eve of His crucifixion, confronts the immense weight of His impending suffering and death. This verse sets the stage for His agonizing prayer, revealing His full humanity and perfect submission to the Father's redemptive plan, a pivotal moment of spiritual struggle and resolve before His arrest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the institution of the [Lord's Supper](/matthew/26-26-29 "Matthew 26:26-29 - Institution of the Lord's Supper"), where Jesus revealed the new covenant in His blood and foreshadowed His sacrificial death. Directly after this, Jesus led His disciples in singing a hymn, likely a part of the Hallel psalms (Psalm 113-118), traditionally sung during Passover. As they left the Upper Room, Jesus prophesied the disciples' scattering and Peter's threefold denial (Matthew 26:31-35). Thus, Matthew 26:36 marks a transition from communal fellowship and prophetic declaration to a deeply personal and solitary spiritual battle, setting the narrative trajectory toward His betrayal, arrest, and ultimate crucifixion. It is the calm before the storm, a moment of intense internal conflict for the Savior.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting, Gethsemane, was a garden or olive grove located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. This area was a familiar retreat for Jesus and His disciples (cf. [Luke 22:39](/luke/22-39 "Luke 22:39 - Jesus Goes to the Mount of Olives")). The timing was late at night, likely after midnight, during the Passover Feast, a time of heightened religious fervor and pilgrimage in Jerusalem. The city would have been bustling, but Gethsemane offered a measure of quiet and seclusion. Gardens were often places of prayer and contemplation in ancient Jewish culture. The act of Jesus withdrawing to pray, even asking His disciples to wait, highlights the cultural understanding of private devotion, yet within the context of a shared spiritual journey. The journey across the Kidron Valley itself, a valley often associated with judgment and death in prophetic literature, adds a somber undertone to their path.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:36 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Humanity of Christ**, demonstrating Jesus' very real human emotions of sorrow, anguish, and the need for divine strength in the face of suffering, even as He remains fully divine. Secondly, it highlights the **Necessity and Power of Prayer**, portraying Jesus, the Son of God, modeling profound reliance on the Father through fervent prayer in His greatest trial. This sets the stage for His subsequent plea in [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"), "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **Submission to Divine Will**, as Gethsemane becomes the crucible where Jesus fully embraces the Father's redemptive plan, despite the immense personal cost. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Discipleship and Failure**, as the disciples are asked to "sit ye here," indicating their limited capacity to fully comprehend or participate in the depth of Jesus' agony, foreshadowing their eventual desertion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gethsemane (Chaldee, _Gethsēmanē'_):** This name, derived from Aramaic, literally means "oil press." The symbolism is profound: just as olives were crushed under immense pressure to extract their oil, Jesus was about to be "pressed" by the overwhelming weight of humanity's sin, the wrath of God, and the agony of the cross. This location, therefore, becomes a prophetic stage for His spiritual and emotional crushing, leading to the ultimate outpouring of His life for salvation.
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come or go," often with a sense of purpose or destiny. Here, it emphasizes Jesus' deliberate movement towards Gethsemane, not as a passive victim, but as one purposefully advancing towards the culmination of His earthly mission. It implies a conscious, determined step into the crucible of His suffering, underscoring His active role in fulfilling the Father's will.
* **pray (Greek, _proseúchomai'_):** This term specifically denotes prayer directed toward God, often with an implication of supplicating or worshipping. It highlights the intimate, dependent relationship Jesus had with the Father, even in His divine nature. His intention to "pray yonder" signals a deep, personal, and intense communion, distinct from the disciples' more passive waiting, indicating the profound spiritual battle He was about to engage in.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,"**: This clause establishes the setting and the company. "Then" (G5119, _tóte_) marks a chronological progression from the Last Supper and the journey from Jerusalem. Jesus' active "cometh" (G2064, _érchomai_) signifies His intentional movement towards this specific location. The phrase "with them" indicates that His disciples are still accompanying Him, though their role is about to shift. The destination, "Gethsemane" (G1068), is introduced as a known "place" (G5564, _chōríon_), setting the stage for the intense spiritual struggle to unfold.
* **"and saith unto the disciples,"**: This simple conjunction "and" (G2532, _kaí_) introduces Jesus' direct address to His followers. The act of "saith" (G3004, _légō_) indicates a formal instruction or command, distinguishing His subsequent actions from theirs. It underscores His leadership and the specific instructions He gives them for this critical moment.
* **"Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."**: This is Jesus' direct command, separating Himself from the main group of disciples. "Sit ye here" (G2523, _kathízō_ G847, _autoû_) instructs them to remain at a designated spot, implying a boundary to their participation in His immediate struggle. The phrase "while I go" (G565, _apérchomai_) indicates His intention to proceed further into the garden alone, or with a select few. The purpose of His withdrawal is clear: "and pray" (G4336, _proseúchomai_), emphasizing the central activity. "Yonder" (G1563, _ekeî_) further stresses His desire for a more private, intense communion, underscoring the solitary nature of the spiritual battle He was about to face.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:36 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Foreshadowing**. The very name **Gethsemane**, meaning "oil press," serves as a powerful symbol of the intense spiritual and physical "pressing" Jesus is about to endure. Just as olives are crushed to yield their oil, Jesus will be crushed by the weight of sin and divine wrath to bring forth salvation. This location, therefore, is not arbitrary but deeply meaningful. The act of Jesus separating Himself from the disciples and going "yonder" to pray **foreshadows** the solitary nature of His ultimate suffering and atonement on the cross—a burden He alone could bear. There is also an element of **Contrast** established between Jesus' active, purposeful movement towards prayer and the disciples' passive instruction to "sit ye here," hinting at their inability to fully grasp or participate in the depth of His agony, which will later manifest in their falling asleep. This sets up the **Dramatic Irony** of the disciples' failure to watch and pray, despite Jesus' clear instruction and their earlier fervent promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:36 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ and the necessity of His atoning work. It reveals Jesus as both fully divine and fully human, experiencing genuine anguish and dependence on the Father, even as He steadfastly walks the path of obedience. This moment underscores the reality of the Incarnation, where the Son of God voluntarily embraces the human condition, including its vulnerability to suffering and the need for divine sustenance through prayer. His withdrawal to pray in Gethsemane is not a sign of weakness, but of perfect reliance and submission to the Father's will, a necessary step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity. It is here that the battle for the soul of humanity is spiritually engaged before its physical manifestation on the cross.

* [Mark 14:32](/mark/14-32 "Mark 14:32 - Parallel Account of Gethsemane")
* [Luke 22:39](/luke/22-39 "Luke 22:39 - Parallel Account of Gethsemane")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus as a Sympathetic High Priest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:36 offers a timeless model for every believer facing moments of profound difficulty, fear, or decision. Jesus, in His deepest anguish, did not retreat into despair or self-pity, but intentionally sought out a place of solitude to commune with His Father. This highlights the indispensable role of prayer as our primary resource for strength, clarity, and submission to God's will, especially when our own "Gethsemanes" arise—those seasons of intense spiritual, emotional, or physical trial. We are called to follow His example, drawing near to God in honest, fervent prayer, even when the path ahead seems overwhelming or terrifying. Furthermore, this verse reminds us of Jesus' perfect humanity; He truly understands our weaknesses and struggles, making Him a compassionate High Priest who can empathize with our every infirmity. Our faith is not in a distant, unfeeling deity, but in a Savior who has walked our path of suffering and conquered it through perfect obedience and reliance on God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jesus' decision to "go and pray yonder" reveal about the nature of His impending suffering and His relationship with the Father?**
* **How does Jesus' example in Gethsemane challenge or encourage your own prayer life, especially during times of personal anguish or difficult decisions?**
* **In what ways does this verse deepen your understanding of Jesus' full humanity and His ability to empathize with your struggles?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus choose Gethsemane for this pivotal prayer?**

Answer: Jesus chose Gethsemane, meaning "oil press," for this pivotal prayer not only because it was a familiar and secluded place for Him and His disciples on the Mount of Olives, but also for its profound symbolic significance. The name itself foreshadows the immense spiritual and emotional "pressing" or crushing that Jesus would endure there, akin to olives being crushed to extract oil. This location served as the crucible where He wrestled with the Father's will and the full weight of humanity's sin before His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It was a place of deep agony, but also of resolute submission to the divine plan, setting the stage for the redemptive work that would culminate at Calvary.

**What is the significance of Jesus telling His disciples, "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder"?**

Answer: Jesus' instruction to His disciples to "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder" is highly significant. It indicates His need for a deeper, more solitary communion with the Father in this moment of intense spiritual struggle. While He desired their presence and support, the battle He was about to face was uniquely His own, a burden no one else could share or fully comprehend. This separation underscores the unparalleled nature of His atoning work and His unique relationship with the Father. It also highlights the disciples' limited capacity to truly "watch" or participate in the depth of His agony, foreshadowing their later failure to stay awake and their eventual desertion of Him (as seen in [Matthew 26:40-41](/matthew/26-40-41 "Matthew 26:40-41 - Jesus Finds Disciples Asleep")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:36, the gateway to Gethsemane, is a profound Christ-centered moment, revealing the very heart of the Messiah's mission. Here, Jesus, the Son of God, fully embraces His role as the Suffering Servant, perfectly fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah (e.g., [Isaiah 53:3-7](/isaiah/53-3-7 "Isaiah 53:3-7 - The Suffering Servant")). His agonizing prayer, initiated by His withdrawal to "pray yonder," is not a sign of reluctance but of His perfect humanity grappling with the immense cost of divine obedience, ultimately leading to His resolute "not my will, but yours be done" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer of Submission")). Gethsemane is where the Lamb of God willingly submits to being "pressed" for the sins of the world, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which brings about the new covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). His obedience in this moment of intense spiritual warfare secured victory over sin and death, paving the way for our reconciliation with God and His triumphant resurrection ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One Man")). Thus, Matthew 26:36 is not merely a historical account but a vital theological pivot, showcasing Christ's active and willing participation in His redemptive work for all humanity.

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 22:39

¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

Luke 22:46

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

Mark 14:32

¶ And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

Mark 14:42

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Matthew 26:42

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

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;