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Matthew 26:36

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

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}.

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."

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.”

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

Matthew 26:36 marks the beginning of Jesus’ profound and agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, a pivotal moment leading up to His arrest and crucifixion. This verse sets the stage for the ultimate demonstration of His submission to the Father’s will.

Context

This scene immediately follows the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the new covenant and prophesied Peter's denial and the disciples' scattering. Jesus and His disciples have crossed the Kidron Valley and ascended the Mount of Olives to reach Gethsemane. It is late at night, likely after midnight, during the Passover Feast, a time of intense spiritual and physical tension. Jesus brings His disciples with Him, but asks them to wait at the entrance to the garden, indicating His need for a private, intense communion with God. The disciples are about to witness, or rather, fail to witness, one of the most critical moments of their Master's earthly life.

Key Themes

  • Prayer in Agony: Jesus, though divine, models profound human reliance on God through prayer in the face of unimaginable suffering. His request to "go and pray yonder" signals a deep, personal struggle.
  • Solitude and Support: While seeking solitude for His most intense prayer, Jesus still desires the presence of His closest disciples, underscoring the human need for companionship even in spiritual battles, though they are asked to remain at a distance.
  • Submission to God's Will: This moment in Gethsemane is where Jesus fully embraces the Father's plan for His sacrifice, despite the immense personal cost. Jesus' words here set the stage for His profound prayer, where He expresses His willingness to submit to God's will, even to the point of death, as seen in Matthew 26:39.

Linguistic Insights

The name Gethsemane (Greek: Gethsēmanē) is derived from Aramaic and means "oil press." This name is highly symbolic, as it was in this garden that Jesus would be "pressed" by the immense weight of humanity's sin and the impending suffering of the cross. Just as olives were crushed to produce oil, Jesus was about to be crushed in spirit and body to bring forth salvation.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:36 offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • The Necessity of Prayer: Even Jesus, the Son of God, sought intense prayer in His moment of greatest trial. This highlights the indispensable role of prayer for strength, guidance, and submission to God's will in our own lives, especially during times of distress or decision.
  • Facing Trials with God: When facing personal Gethsemanes—moments of deep pain, fear, or difficult choices—we are called to draw near to God in prayer, just as Jesus did.
  • Understanding Jesus' Humanity: This verse beautifully illustrates Jesus' full humanity. He experienced fear, sorrow, and the need for divine comfort, making Him a compassionate High Priest who can empathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).

Parallel accounts of this significant event can be found in Mark 14:32 and Luke 22:39.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Luke 22:39 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 22:46 (5 votes)

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

  • Mark 14:32 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

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

  • Matthew 26:42 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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;