32And they came to a place whose name was Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." [14:33] And he took Peter and James and John along with him, and he began to be greatly awe-struck and to be in deep anguish. [14:34] And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch." [14:35] And going forward a little, he fell on the ground and was praying that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. [14:36] And he was saying, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup from me — yet not what I will, but what you will." [14:37] And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not strong enough to keep watch one hour? [14:38] Keep watch and pray, that you may not enter into trial. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." [14:39] And again he went away and prayed, saying the same word. [14:40] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down; and they did not know what they should answer him. [14:41] And he came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough. The hour has come. Look — the Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of sinners. [14:42] Rise, let us go. Look — the one who is delivering me up has drawn near."
MRK 14:32-42
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Gethsemane, located on the Mount of Olives, was a known place of solitude and prayer, often associated with Jewish eschatological expectations. Jesus’ distress and sorrow would have resonated deeply with Jewish listeners, who understood such anguish as a mark of profound spiritual struggle, akin to the psalms of lament. His address to God as 'Abba' (Aramaic for 'Father') reflects an intimate familial relationship, contrasting with the formal, distant language often used in Jewish prayer. The 'cup' was a common metaphor for suffering or divine judgment, evoking prophetic imagery (e.g., Isaiah 51:17). The disciples’ failure to watch would have been seen as a breach of loyalty in an honor-shame culture, where vigilance was expected of close companions. The scene’s intensity underscores the gravity of Jesus’ impending trial , understood not as mere temptation but as a profound testing of faithfulness.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 14:32
- KJV
- And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
- BSB
- Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
- Koinōnos
- And they came to a place whose name was Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray.
MRK 14:33
- KJV
- And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
- BSB
- He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- Koinōnos
- And he took Peter and James and John along with him, and he began to be greatly awe-struck and to be in deep anguish.
MRK 14:34
- KJV
- And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
- BSB
- Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
- Koinōnos
- And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch.
MRK 14:35
- KJV
- And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
- BSB
- Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him.
- Koinōnos
- And going forward a little, he fell on the ground and was praying that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
MRK 14:36
- KJV
- And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
- BSB
- “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
- Koinōnos
- And he was saying, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup from me — yet not what I will, but what you will.
MRK 14:37
- KJV
- And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
- BSB
- Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?
- Koinōnos
- And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not strong enough to keep watch one hour?
MRK 14:38
- KJV
- Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
- BSB
- Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
- Koinōnos
- Keep watch and pray, that you may not enter into trial. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
MRK 14:39
- KJV
- And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
- BSB
- Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing.
- Koinōnos
- And again he went away and prayed, saying the same word.
MRK 14:40
- KJV
- And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
- BSB
- And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
- Koinōnos
- And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down; and they did not know what they should answer him.
MRK 14:41
- KJV
- And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- BSB
- When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- Koinōnos
- And he came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough. The hour has come. Look — the Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of sinners.
MRK 14:42
- KJV
- Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
- BSB
- Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”
- Koinōnos
- Rise, let us go. Look — the one who is delivering me up has drawn near.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 14:33
- and:The word translated 'awe-struck' here suggests a profound sense of shock, terror, or astonishment, often implying a sudden and overwhelming emotional impact.
- to be greatly awe-struck:The term used here for 'greatly awe-struck' conveys a deep anguish, distress, or mental agony, often to the point of being utterly dismayed or bewildered.
MRK 14:34
- Very sorrowful:The word translated 'very sorrowful' indicates an extreme, overwhelming sadness or grief, suggesting a profound depth of emotional pain.
MRK 14:38
- temptation.:The word translated 'temptation' can refer to either an enticement to sin or a trial/test designed to prove one's character or faith.