Gethsemane: Jesus' Agony and Prayer
Mark 14:32-42
Mark.14.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ερχονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- χωριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Γεθσημανι: PROPN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μαθηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- αυτου·Καθισατε: PRON,gen,sg,m;VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ωδε: ADV
- εως: CONJ
- προσευξωμαι: VERB,aor,mid,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 26:36 (verbal): Same scene and near-verbatim instruction — Jesus goes to Gethsemane and tells the disciples to sit while he goes to pray.
- Matthew 26:39 (thematic): Continues the same episode: Jesus prays in Gethsemane, expressing his anguished petition to the Father (the prayer that follows the command in Mark 14:32).
- Luke 22:39-46 (structural): Parallel account of the Gethsemane/Olive Mountain episode: Jesus withdraws to pray, instructs the disciples, experiences agony, and is strengthened by an angel — same narrative sequence with distinct emphases.
- John 18:1 (allusion): John places the arrest 'across the Kidron valley to a garden' (Gethsemane), alluding to the same location though he omits the prayer details found in Mark 14:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they came to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.'
- They came to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
Mark.14.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παραλαμβανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Πετρον: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιακωβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εκθαμβεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- και: CONJ
- αδημονειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 26:37-38 (verbal): Matthew records the same scene: Jesus takes Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him and expresses deep sorrow and distress—closely parallel language and sequence to Mark's account.
- Luke 22:39-46 (thematic): Luke describes Jesus withdrawing to pray and experiencing extreme anguish (including sweat like drops of blood) while his disciples fail to watch—parallels Mark's depiction of Jesus' distress though Luke omits naming Peter, James and John here.
- John 18:1-2 (structural): John also places Jesus with his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane (or a garden) immediately before his arrest, providing a parallel setting and presence of disciples though John focuses on different details.
- Isaiah 53:3 (allusion): Isaiah's portrait of the 'man of sorrows' who is acquainted with grief echoes the theme of Jesus' deep sorrow and suffering in Gethsemane, a prophetic backdrop often linked to New Testament passion narratives.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he took with him Peter and James and John; and he began to be greatly distressed and deeply troubled.
- And he took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.
Mark.14.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Περιλυπος: PRON,dat,pl,3+ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ψυχη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εως: CONJ
- θανατου·μεινατε: NOUN,gen,sg,m+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ωδε: ADV
- και: CONJ
- γρηγορειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 26:38 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Jesus tells his disciples his soul is sorrowful unto death and urges them to stay and watch (parallel Gethsemane confession).
- Luke 22:44 (thematic): Describes the same Gethsemane agony—Jesus’ intense sorrow and prayer, including the physical manifestation of anguish (sweat like drops of blood), expanding on Mark’s note of extreme sorrow.
- Hebrews 5:7 (allusion): Later theological reflection that Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears during his earthly life—echoes Mark’s depiction of Jesus’ profound anguish in Gethsemane.
- Isaiah 53:3 (thematic): Prophetic background: the 'man of sorrows' motif anticipates Jesus’ deep suffering and sorrow, linking Mark’s description to Isaiah’s portrayal of vicarious suffering.
- Psalm 42:5,11 (thematic): The psalmist’s language of a downcast or distressed soul ('Why are you cast down, O my soul?') parallels Jesus’ expression of inner anguish, providing an Old Testament idiom for extreme spiritual distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.'
- And he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep watch."
Mark.14.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προελθων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- μικρον: ADV
- επιπτεν: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- προσηυχετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δυνατον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παρελθη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- απ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 26:39 (verbal): Nearly identical account of Jesus withdrawing to pray in Gethsemane and asking, if possible, that the hour (or cup) might pass from him — close verbal parallel to Mark 14:35–36.
- Luke 22:41-44 (verbal): Parallel Gethsemane scene: Jesus prays apart, falls on his face (or kneels), petitions that the hour pass, and experiences extreme anguish (Luke adds the angel and sweat like drops of blood).
- Hebrews 5:7 (allusion): Summarizes Jesus’ prayerful agony during his earthly life — offering up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears — echoing the Markan Gethsemane motif of earnest prayer in suffering.
- Psalm 22:1-2 (thematic): The psalm expresses the feel of abandonment and intense distress in prayer; New Testament passion language draws on this lament as a backdrop for Jesus’ ordeal and petition to the Father.
- John 12:27 (thematic): Jesus speaks of his soul being troubled and wrestles with the coming hour of suffering — a thematic echo of the inner anguish and desire to avoid the hour evident in Mark 14:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- And going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
- And he withdrew a little, fell to the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mark.14.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελεγεν·Αββα: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- δυνατα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- σοι·παρενεγκε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ποτηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- απ᾽εμου·αλλ᾽ου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
Parallels
- Matthew 26:39 (quotation): Synoptic parallel: Jesus' Gethsemane prayer is nearly verbatim — petitions the Father to remove the cup and submits to the Father's will ('not as I will, but as you will').
- Luke 22:42 (quotation): Parallel account of the same prayer: Luke records the plea to the Father and the decisive phrase of submission, 'not my will but yours,' emphasizing Jesus' obedience.
- John 18:11 (thematic): Contrasting/parallel 'cup' language: when Peter resists Jesus' arrest, Jesus says he must 'drink the cup' the Father has given him — affirming acceptance of the fate Mark prays to avoid.
- Romans 8:15 (verbal): Uses the Aramaic term 'Abba, Father' (π. 'Abba') — verbal/theological parallel showing the intimate filial address to God found in Mark 14:36 and applied to believers by the Spirit.
- Hebrews 5:7 (allusion): Alludes to Jesus' prayers and strong cries in his days of suffering, highlighting his reverent submission to God — thematically linked to the Gethsemane petition and obedience in Mark 14:36.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you; remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'
- And he said, "Abba, Father—everything is possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
Mark.14.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ευρισκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καθευδοντας: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Πετρω·Σιμων: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- καθευδεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ισχυσας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- ωραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- γρηγορησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 26:40-41 (verbal): Almost identical scene and wording: Jesus returns, finds the disciples sleeping, addresses Peter (and the others), 'Could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.'
- Luke 22:45-46 (verbal): Luke's account of Gethsemane closely parallels Mark: Jesus finds the disciples sleeping (from sorrow) and commands them to 'Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation,' echoing the theme of watchfulness.
- Mark 13:34-37 (thematic): Earlier Markan teaching on watchfulness and readiness ('What I say to you I say to all: Watch!') provides theological background for Jesus' rebuke to the sleeping disciples in Gethsemane.
- Mark 14:72 (thematic): Peter's later failure (his third denial and bitter weeping) is thematically linked to his inability to watch and resist weakness in Gethsemane, highlighting human frailty.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?'
- And he returned and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Peter, are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Mark.14.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γρηγορειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- προσευχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ελθητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- πειρασμον·το: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- προθυμον: ADJ,nom,sg,nt
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- σαρξ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ασθενης: ADJ,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 26:41 (verbal): Near-identical saying in the Synoptic parallel: the command to 'watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation' and the assessment 'the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
- Luke 22:46 (verbal): Parallel Gethsemane exhortation: 'Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.' (Luke omits the explicit 'spirit willing, flesh weak' clause but preserves the core warning to pray.)
- Romans 7:18 (thematic): Paul's confession that 'nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh' echoes the Johannine/Markan theme of human weakness of the flesh contrasted with moral intent or desire.
- Galatians 5:17 (thematic): Paul's portrayal of the flesh and the Spirit as opposed forces ('the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit') resonates with Mark's brief contrast 'the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
- James 1:13-15 (thematic): James explains how temptation arises from one's own desires and leads to sin — a practical complement to Mark's exhortation to watch and pray to avoid entering into temptation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
- Watch and pray so that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mark.14.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- απελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- προσηυξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ειπων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 26:44 (verbal): Matthew recounts the same Gethsemane episode with nearly identical wording—Jesus goes away again and prays, 'saying the same words,' echoing Mark's phrasing.
- Luke 22:42-44 (structural): Luke records the same prayer content ('Father, if you are willing...') and the repeated praying, adding that he prayed more earnestly and was strengthened by an angel—parallel in scene and function.
- Mark 14:36 (verbal): An earlier line in Mark's account contains the first instance of Jesus' prayer ('Abba, Father...'), which verse 39 says he repeated; the two verses form the immediate verbal and structural parallel within Mark.
- Hebrews 5:7 (allusion): Hebrews portrays Christ offering fervent prayers and supplications with cries and tears to the one who could save him—theologically echoing the Gethsemane prayers described in Mark 14.
Alternative generated candidates
- And again he went away and prayed, repeating the same words.
- Again he went away and prayed, and returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy and they did not know what to answer him.
Mark.14.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- ευρεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καθευδοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,m,pl
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- γαρ: PART
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- οφθαλμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- καταβαρυνομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,m,pl
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδεισαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- αποκριθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:40 (verbal): Parallel Passion‑Gethsemane account—Jesus returns and finds the disciples sleeping; closely parallels Mark's description of them asleep and unable to respond.
- Matthew 26:43 (quotation): Repeated finding in Matthew that 'their eyes were heavy'—near‑verbatim correspondence to Mark's wording about drowsiness causing their sleep.
- Luke 22:45 (thematic): Luke also reports the disciples sleeping after Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane; parallels the scene though Luke attributes the sleep to sorrow rather than heavy eyes.
- Mark 14:37 (structural): Immediate internal parallel within Mark's narrative where Jesus first finds them sleeping—this earlier instance echoes and frames the repeated discovery in v.40.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came and found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.
- And he came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners."
Mark.14.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τριτον: NUM,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Καθευδετε: PRON,dat,pl,3 + VERB,pres,act/dep,ind/imp,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- λοιπον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- αναπαυεσθε·απεχει·ηλθεν: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl + VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg + VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ιδου: PART
- παραδιδοται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αμαρτωλων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:45-46 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel—Jesus finds the disciples sleeping, declares 'the hour is at hand' and that 'the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners,' mirroring Mark's language.
- Luke 22:45-46 (verbal): Parallel Gethsemane scene—Jesus finds them sleeping and rebukes them to rise and pray; shares the same immediate context of imminent betrayal.
- Luke 9:44 (allusion): Earlier prediction using nearly identical wording: 'The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men,' echoing Mark's statement about the Son of Man being handed over.
- John 13:1 (structural): Johannine passion motif—John frames the passion with 'Jesus knew that his hour had come,' a structural/thematic parallel to Mark's 'the hour has come' indicating the moment of betrayal and suffering.
- Psalm 41:9 (quotation): OT theme/prophecy of betrayal by a close companion ('even my close friend in whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me')—used elsewhere in the NT about Judas and thematically connects to Mark's declaration of betrayal.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came the third time and said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.'
- Rise, let us be going; behold, my betrayer is at hand."
Mark.14.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγειρεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- αγωμεν·ιδου: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl + INTJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παραδιδους: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ηγγικεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 26:46 (verbal): Nearly identical wording and context—Jesus wakes the disciples and announces that his betrayer is at hand; direct synoptic parallel to Mark 14:42.
- Luke 22:46 (structural): Same Gethsemane episode in which Jesus rouses the sleeping disciples and urges prayer; parallels the scene and Jesus' rebuke though the wording differs.
- Luke 22:48 (thematic): Jesus confronts Judas' act of betrayal ('Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'); completes the narrative anticipated by Mark's announcement that the betrayer has arrived.
- John 18:2–5 (structural): Describes Judas leading a detachment to the garden and Jesus stepping forward when they come to arrest him—corresponds to Mark's declaration that the betrayer is at hand.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): OT foreshadowing of treachery by a close associate ('Even my close friend in whom I trusted...'); later cited in the NT as prophetic background for the betrayal theme.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rise, let us be going; behold, my betrayer is at hand.
- And they went out and fled.
And they came to a place named Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I pray.' And he took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly distressed and deeply troubled. And he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to death; remain here and keep watch.' And going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, 'Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take away this cup from me—yet not what I will, but what you will.' And he came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch one hour?'
Keep watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And returning, he found them asleep again; for their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came a third time and said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.'
Rise, let us be going; behold, my betrayer is at hand.