Matthew 26:40

KJV

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he cometh {G2064} unto {G4314} the disciples {G3101}, and {G2532} findeth {G2147} them {G846} asleep {G2518}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto Peter {G4074}, What {G3779}, could ye {G2480} not {G3756} watch {G1127} with {G3326} me {G1700} one {G3391} hour {G5610}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He returned to the talmidim and found them sleeping. He said to Kefa, "Were you so weak that you couldn't stay awake with me for even an hour?

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

American Standard Version

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:40 captures a deeply poignant moment in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus, in the throes of profound spiritual anguish before his crucifixion, returns to find his closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—asleep. His gentle yet pointed question to Peter reveals his disappointment and highlights the disciples' human weakness and inability to remain vigilant and supportive during his hour of greatest need, underscoring the theme of spiritual watchfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the intensely dramatic narrative of Jesus' passion in the Gospel of Matthew. Immediately following the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the new covenant and predicted Peter's denial ([Matthew 26:26-35](/matthew/26-26-35 "Matthew 26:26-35 - The Last Supper and Peter's Denial")), Jesus leads his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. He takes Peter, James, and John further into the garden, instructing them to "tarry ye here, and watch with me" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). While Jesus withdraws a stone's throw to pray in agonizing sorrow, facing the full weight of the Father's will and the impending suffering, he returns to find these three, despite his explicit request, overcome by sleep. This moment of finding them asleep, and his subsequent gentle rebuke, is repeated three times ([Matthew 26:40](/matthew/26-40 "Matthew 26:40 - Disciples Asleep"), [Matthew 26:43](/matthew/26-43 "Matthew 26:43 - Disciples Asleep Again"), [Matthew 26:45](/matthew/26-45 "Matthew 26:45 - Disciples Still Asleep")), emphasizing the disciples' failure to comprehend the gravity of the moment and Jesus' profound solitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place for Jesus and his disciples, often used for prayer and quiet reflection. The practice of prayer, especially intense supplication, often involved physical postures of humility, such as falling on one's face ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). The disciples' inability to stay awake can be understood in light of their physical exhaustion after a long day, including the Passover meal, and the emotional strain of the preceding events. However, it also highlights a spiritual unpreparedness. In Jewish tradition, "watching" or "vigilance" often carried connotations of waiting for God's action, being spiritually alert, and guarding against temptation, especially in eschatological contexts. Jesus' request to "watch with me" was not merely about physical wakefulness but about spiritual solidarity and readiness in a moment of profound spiritual warfare.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:40 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Matthew. It powerfully illustrates **human weakness and frailty** in the face of spiritual trial, contrasting sharply with Jesus' unwavering resolve and submission to the Father's will. The disciples' sleep underscores the theme of **Jesus' profound loneliness and suffering** as he prepares for the cross, finding no true human solace even from his closest companions. This scene also emphasizes the critical theme of **spiritual vigilance and preparedness**, a concept Jesus frequently taught through parables like the ten virgins ([Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - Parable of the Ten Virgins")) and the watchful servant ([Matthew 24:42-51](/matthew/24-42-51 "Matthew 24:42-51 - Parable of the Faithful Servant")). Finally, Jesus' direct address to Peter serves as a poignant reminder of Peter's earlier bold, yet ultimately unfulfilled, declaration of loyalty ([Matthew 26:33-35](/matthew/26-33-35 "Matthew 26:33-35 - Peter's Boast and Jesus' Prediction")), foreshadowing his imminent denial and highlighting the gap between good intentions and the need for divine strength in the face of severe temptation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **asleep (Greek, _katheúdō'_):** From `κατά` (kata, down) and `εὕδω` (heudō, to sleep), meaning to lie down to rest, or by implication, to fall asleep, literally or figuratively. Here, it denotes a physical state of slumber, but in the context of Jesus' command to "watch," it also carries a spiritual connotation of being unaware or unprepared.
* **could ye (Greek, _ischýō'_):** From `ἰσχύς` (ischys, force or strength), meaning to have or exercise force, to be able, to avail, or to be of strength. Jesus' question, "What, could ye not...?" uses this word to challenge their capacity or ability, implying a lack of spiritual strength or resolve rather than merely physical exhaustion. It points to a deeper spiritual inability to meet the moment.
* **watch (Greek, _grēgoreúō'_):** From `ἐγείρω` (egeirō, to awaken), meaning to keep awake, to watch, or to be vigilant. While literally referring to physical wakefulness, in a spiritual context, it signifies being alert, spiritually prepared, and watchful against temptation or for the Lord's return. Jesus' command was not merely for them to stay awake physically, but to be spiritually attentive and prayerfully engaged with him in his hour of trial.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep,"**: This clause sets the scene for Jesus' return to his closest companions after his initial period of agonizing prayer. The repeated action of Jesus finding them asleep (this is the first of three such instances) underscores the disciples' failure to fulfill his simple, yet profound, request to "watch with me." Their physical sleep symbolizes a deeper spiritual slumber, a lack of readiness or understanding of the spiritual battle Jesus was enduring.
* **"and saith unto Peter,"**: Jesus' direct address to Peter is significant. Peter, who had earlier boldly declared his unwavering loyalty and willingness to die for Jesus ([Matthew 26:33](/matthew/26-33 "Matthew 26:33 - Peter's Boast")), is singled out. This highlights his leadership role among the disciples and perhaps a particular expectation Jesus had of him, given his earlier profession of faith and his place in the inner circle. It also foreshadows Peter's subsequent failure and denial, making this moment a poignant precursor to his spiritual stumble.
* **"‹What, could ye not watch with me one hour?›"**: This is a rhetorical question filled with pathos and gentle rebuke. The "What" (`hoútō`) expresses surprise or disappointment. The phrase "could ye not" (`ischýō`) questions their strength or ability, not merely their willingness. The request to "watch" (`grēgoreúō`) implies spiritual vigilance, not just physical wakefulness. The emphasis on "one hour" highlights the minimal nature of the request, making their failure all the more striking. It conveys Jesus' profound loneliness and his longing for companionship and spiritual solidarity in his hour of deepest trial.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:40 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Jesus, the Son of God, who is about to undergo the ultimate sacrifice for humanity, seeks comfort and vigilance from his closest followers, only to find them succumbing to sleep. This contrasts sharply with his own intense spiritual struggle and wakefulness. There is also profound **Pathos** conveyed through Jesus' rhetorical question, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" This question reveals his deep sorrow, disappointment, and sense of isolation, evoking sympathy for his suffering. The **Rhetorical Question** itself serves not to elicit an answer, but to emphasize the disciples' failure and to highlight the profound spiritual significance of the moment. Furthermore, the scene uses **Foreshadowing**, particularly in addressing Peter, hinting at his impending denial and the disciples' overall inability to stand firm with Jesus during his passion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:40 serves as a powerful reminder of the human condition's inherent weakness, particularly in moments of spiritual crisis, and the constant call for vigilance in the Christian life. The disciples' inability to stay awake, despite their proximity to Jesus and their awareness of the gravity of the situation, underscores the reality that spiritual battles cannot be fought in reliance on mere human strength or good intentions. It highlights the profound need for prayer and divine empowerment to overcome the flesh's weakness and the world's temptations. Jesus' solitude in Gethsemane also prefigures his ultimate isolation on the cross, where he bore the sins of the world alone, emphasizing the unique nature of his suffering and atonement. This moment calls believers to a deeper understanding of spiritual warfare and the necessity of constant communion with God to remain steadfast.

* [Mark 14:37-38](/mark/14-37-38 "Mark 14:37-38 - Disciples Asleep in Gethsemane")
* [Luke 22:45-46](/luke/22-45-46 "Luke 22:45-46 - Disciples Asleep from Sorrow")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Watchful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:40 is a poignant mirror reflecting our own spiritual struggles and the ever-present tension between the spirit's willingness and the flesh's weakness. In our lives, there are moments of spiritual Gethsemane—times of intense trial, temptation, or deep sorrow—when the call to "watch" becomes paramount. This verse challenges us to examine our own readiness and commitment when called to spiritual vigilance, whether for ourselves, in intercession for others, or in anticipation of Christ's return. It reminds us that spiritual alertness is not a passive state but an active discipline, nurtured through prayer and reliance on God's strength, not our own. When we find ourselves spiritually drowsy or failing to stand with those in their hour of need, this passage gently rebukes us, urging us to humble ourselves, confess our weakness, and seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment to remain watchful and faithful, especially when the spiritual stakes are highest.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself spiritually "asleep" when you should be "watching"?**
* **How does Jesus' gentle rebuke to Peter challenge your own commitment to spiritual vigilance and prayer?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of spiritual alertness and readiness in your daily life?**
* **How does the disciples' failure to watch with Jesus inform your understanding of the importance of Christian community and mutual support during times of trial?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus specifically address Peter, and what is the significance of "one hour"?**

Answer: Jesus specifically addressed Peter, even though James and John were also present and asleep, likely due to Peter's prominent role among the disciples and his recent bold, yet ultimately unfulfilled, declaration of loyalty to Jesus ([Matthew 26:33-35](/matthew/26-33-35 "Matthew 26:33-35 - Peter's Boast and Jesus' Prediction")). Singling out Peter underscored the weight of his leadership and the particular challenge to his professed devotion. It served as a poignant reminder of the gap between intention and the need for divine strength. The phrase "one hour" emphasizes the minimal nature of Jesus' request. It highlights the depth of the disciples' physical exhaustion or spiritual weariness, making their failure to stay awake for even such a short, critical period all the more striking. It conveys Jesus' deep sense of isolation and his longing for even a brief period of companionship and spiritual solidarity during his intense agony.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:40, with its depiction of the disciples' spiritual slumber and Jesus' solitary anguish, profoundly anticipates Christ's ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. While his closest followers could not "watch with" him for even "one hour," Jesus himself remained perfectly vigilant and obedient to the Father's will, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Their weakness underscores his unique strength and unwavering resolve to accomplish the atonement. The "hour" that the disciples could not endure was the very "hour" of suffering and glorification that Jesus embraced as his divine mission ([John 12:27-28](/john/12-27-28 "John 12:27-28 - Jesus Prays About His Hour")). In his solitary watch, Jesus confronted and conquered the powers of darkness, securing the victory that enables his followers, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to finally "watch" and stand firm in faith. His Gethsemane agony, unshared by his disciples, was a necessary step towards becoming the sympathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Christ Our High Priest")). Thus, the disciples' failure highlights Christ's perfect obedience and his singular role as the one who fully accomplished the Father's will, ensuring our salvation and empowering us to live a life of vigilance in Him.

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

Mark 14:37

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

Luke 22:45

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

Matthew 26:43

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

Luke 9:32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

Matthew 26:35

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Matthew 25:5

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Matthew 26:38

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.