Matthew 26:37

KJV

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he took with him {G3880} Peter {G4074} and {G2532} the two {G1417} sons {G5207} of Zebedee {G2199}, and began {G756} to be sorrowful {G3076} and {G2532} very heavy {G85}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He took with him Kefa and Zavdai's two sons. Grief and anguish came over him,

Berean Standard Bible

He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

American Standard Version

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:37 captures a profoundly intimate and agonizing moment as Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing the depth of His human suffering and emotional distress on the eve of His crucifixion. This verse depicts Jesus taking His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, further into the garden, where He begins to experience an overwhelming sorrow and spiritual heaviness, foreshadowing the immense burden of sin He was about to bear for humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' arrival at the Garden of Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:36](/matthew/26-36 "Matthew 26:36 - Jesus Enters Gethsemane")) with His disciples, after the Last Supper. It sets the stage for His intense prayer in the garden, where He asks for the "cup" of suffering to pass from Him, if possible ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Jesus deliberately selects Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), His inner circle, to accompany Him to a more secluded spot. This trio had previously witnessed other pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry, such as the Transfiguration ([Matthew 17:1](/matthew/17-1 "Matthew 17:1 - The Transfiguration")) and the raising of Jairus' daughter ([Mark 5:37](/mark/5-37 "Mark 5:37 - Raising Jairus' Daughter")). Their presence here underscores the gravity of the moment and Jesus' desire for spiritual companionship during His profound spiritual battle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Garden of Gethsemane, located on the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place for Jesus and His disciples, often serving as a retreat for prayer and rest. Its name, derived from the Aramaic "Gat Shemanim," means "olive press," a fitting metaphor for the crushing spiritual pressure Jesus was about to endure. In Jewish tradition, gardens were often places of significant spiritual encounter and prayer. The act of withdrawing to pray before a major trial or event was a common practice, reflecting a deep reliance on God. Jesus' choice of this secluded, yet familiar, setting highlights His desire for solitude and intense communion with the Father as He faced the ultimate act of obedience and sacrifice.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Jesus' full humanity and His profound agony**. He is not a stoic deity immune to pain, but a man who genuinely experiences deep emotional and spiritual distress, demonstrating His complete identification with human suffering. Secondly, it highlights the **role of the inner circle**, chosen by Jesus for their proximity during His most vulnerable moment, emphasizing the importance of intimate fellowship, even if they ultimately failed to "watch with Him" ([Matthew 26:40](/matthew/26-40 "Matthew 26:40 - Disciples Fall Asleep")). Thirdly, this moment marks the beginning of Jesus' **preparation for ultimate sacrifice**, revealing His conscious and emotional embrace of the Father's will to bear the sins of the world, a burden prophesied centuries earlier by Isaiah ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **took with him (Greek, _paralambánō'_):** This verb (G3880) means "to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation)." Here, it signifies Jesus deliberately choosing and drawing Peter, James, and John into a deeper, more intimate circle for this specific, agonizing experience. It implies a desire for close companionship and support in His hour of profound distress.
* **sorrowful (Greek, _lypéō'_):** Derived from _lypē_ (grief), this word (G3076) means "to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad." It conveys a deep sense of grief, anguish, or profound sadness. This is not merely mental discomfort but a deep-seated emotional and spiritual pain, indicative of the immense burden Jesus was beginning to feel.
* **very heavy (Greek, _adēmonéō'_):** This term (G85) describes a state of being "in distress (of mind)," often associated with being distraught, restless, or overwhelmed to the point of mental anguish. It suggests an extreme mental and emotional pressure, a feeling of being completely isolated or almost without hope, though Jesus' ultimate hope remained in the Father. This emphasizes the unparalleled intensity of His internal struggle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,"**: This clause specifies Jesus' deliberate action of selecting three of His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—to accompany Him beyond the initial group. This act highlights Jesus' humanity and His need for intimate companionship during a moment of profound vulnerability, echoing their previous privileged access to His miracles and transfiguration.
* **"and began to be sorrowful and very heavy."**: This clause describes the immediate onset of Jesus' deep emotional and spiritual suffering. The use of "began" indicates the initiation of an intense internal struggle, while "sorrowful" and "very heavy" convey a profound, overwhelming anguish that transcends mere sadness, pointing to the spiritual and emotional weight of the world's sin and the impending cross.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:37 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the gravity of Jesus' experience. **Pathos** is central, as the description of Jesus becoming "sorrowful and very heavy" is designed to evoke deep empathy and understanding in the reader for His suffering. This raw portrayal of His emotional state humanizes Jesus, making His divine sacrifice even more poignant. The verse also functions as a moment of profound **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' internal agony in Gethsemane directly anticipates the physical and spiritual suffering of the crucifixion. His "heaviness" here is a prelude to the crushing weight of sin He would bear on the cross. Furthermore, the selection of the inner circle—Peter, James, and John—can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing the intimacy of fellowship Jesus desired, even as it highlights their eventual inability to fully "watch with Him," underscoring the solitary nature of His ultimate suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:37 is a pivotal moment that profoundly reveals the true humanity of Jesus, demonstrating that He was fully God yet also fully man, susceptible to the deepest human emotions. His agony in Gethsemane is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the immense spiritual battle He was waging against sin and death on behalf of humanity. This moment underscores the cost of redemption, revealing the unfathomable depth of His love and obedience to the Father's will, even unto death. It shows that Jesus truly understands human suffering, making Him the perfect High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses.

* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Gethsemane, particularly Jesus' profound sorrow and heaviness, offers a deeply comforting and challenging reflection for believers. It validates the reality of human suffering and demonstrates that even the Son of God experienced intense emotional and spiritual distress. This means we are not alone in our grief, anxiety, or overwhelming burdens; Jesus understands and empathizes with our deepest pains. His example teaches us the importance of seeking God in prayer during our darkest hours, even when the path ahead seems unbearable. Furthermore, it reminds us of the immense cost of our salvation, prompting gratitude for His willing sacrifice and inspiring us to live lives of obedient love in response to His ultimate act of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' display of "sorrowful and very heavy" emotions challenge or confirm your understanding of His humanity and divinity?**
* **In what ways does Jesus' desire for companionship in Gethsemane inform your understanding of Christian community and support during times of personal struggle?**
* **Considering the immense spiritual burden Jesus was experiencing, how does this verse deepen your appreciation for the redemption He accomplished on the cross?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus take only Peter, James, and John with Him to this specific spot?**

Answer: Jesus chose Peter, James, and John, His inner circle, to accompany Him to the most secluded part of Gethsemane because they had previously been privileged witnesses to other significant events in His ministry, such as the Transfiguration ([Matthew 17:1](/matthew/17-1 "Matthew 17:1 - The Transfiguration")) and the raising of Jairus' daughter ([Mark 5:37](/mark/5-37 "Mark 5:37 - Raising Jairus' Daughter")). This selection underscored the unique gravity and intimacy of the moment. Jesus desired their closest companionship and prayerful support as He began to experience the profound spiritual and emotional agony that preceded His crucifixion, though they ultimately struggled to "watch with Him" ([Matthew 26:40](/matthew/26-40 "Matthew 26:40 - Disciples Fall Asleep")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:37, depicting Jesus' profound agony in Gethsemane, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in His role as the Suffering Servant and the ultimate High Priest. This moment reveals the depth of His identification with humanity, as He, though sinless, willingly embraced the full weight of human sorrow and the spiritual burden of sin. His "sorrowful and very heavy" state foreshadows the crushing of the Son of God for the iniquities of us all, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"). In Gethsemane, Jesus' obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death, becomes clear ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedient to Death")). This act of submission, despite His overwhelming distress, demonstrates His perfect qualification to be our compassionate High Priest, one who can truly sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest")). His agony in the garden, therefore, is not merely a human experience but a divine act of love, laying the foundation for His atoning sacrifice on the cross, through which He secured eternal redemption for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Eternal Redemption")).

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 4:21

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Matthew 17:1

¶ And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Mark 5:37

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Mark 14:33

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Mark 14:34

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Matthew 20:20

¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him.

Matthew 4:18

¶ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.