35 · Jesus' Prayer

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36–46

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Jesus kneels with clasped hands beneath olive trees at night while three disciples sleep behind him.

Before his arrest, the distressed Jesus asks for “the cup” to pass, yet submits to the Father's will.

What does Jesus' prayer show about surrender?

Choose a perspective

There is no score – choose the perspective you find closest and discuss why.

Discuss: Can you accept something while still wishing it could have been different?

After your discussion: compare with our assessment

Our assessment

B and C are closest to our understanding. B reflects the structure of Jesus' prayer: he openly desires another way if possible while entrusting the outcome to the Father. C is supported by the ending. After praying, Jesus says, "Rise, let us go," and moves toward what he knows is coming.

35 · Matthew 26:36–46

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Text & context

Full translation

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, were you not able to keep watch with me for one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray so that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, let your will be done.” 43 When he returned, he found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them, went away again, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go. Look, the one betraying me is near.”

Translated from the Greek text – SBLGNT

What is happening here?
Shortly before his arrest, Jesus comes to Gethsemane with the disciples. He takes Peter, James, and John farther with him and openly tells them that he is deeply sorrowful. Jesus asks the Father, if possible, for the cup to pass from him, while at the same time submitting his will to the Father. He returns to the prayer three times while the disciples fall asleep. When the hour arrives, he rises and moves toward what he knows is coming.
Notice this

Matthew portrays genuine grief and distress rather than emotional detachment. He asks Peter, James, and John to keep watch with him. Their sleep intensifies the loneliness of the scene. Biblical cup imagery can signify suffering, judgment, and wrath. Matthew has already used the cup for Jesus' coming suffering. Jesus makes a genuine request for another path if one is possible. Surrender is not the absence of a real will or inner struggle. It is faithfulness within that struggle. The wording closely echoes the Lord's Prayer. In Gethsemane, Jesus lives the prayer he taught others. Jesus repeats the prayer three times. Surrender is not portrayed as a quick or emotionless decision, and repetition itself is not empty prayer. The sweat like drops of blood and the strengthening angel belong to Luke's account, not Matthew's. They should not be imported into this card's main text or illustration. After praying, Jesus moves toward the situation he feared. Surrender leads to action and obedience. Gethsemane resists the idea that fear, sorrow, or wishing to avoid suffering automatically proves lack of faith. "Let your will be done" should not be used as a blanket demand for passivity in abuse, violence, or injustice. Gethsemane concerns Jesus' unique path in the Gospel narrative.

Language & translation

From the Greek

Γεθσημανί -- Gethsēmani

Gethsemane; probably related to "oil press".

λυπεῖσθαι -- lypeisthai

become sorrowful.

ἀδημονεῖν -- adēmonein

be deeply distressed.

περίλυπος -- perilypos

deeply sorrowful.

ποτήριον -- potērion

cup.

γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου -- genēthētō to thelēma sou

let your will be done.

Translation note

Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition. The card follows Matthew 26:36–46 specifically and does not import details narrated only in other Gospels.

Compare for yourself

Read Jesus' first and second prayers in Matthew 26:39 and 26:42 side by side. How does the wording change? Then notice what Jesus does after the third prayer in verse 46. Has the suffering disappeared, or does Jesus move forward even though it still awaits him? For an additional comparison, read Luke 22:39–46. Which familiar details occur in Luke but not in Matthew?

    Continue the conversation

    Discuss further
    1. What changes when Jesus' desire for the cup to pass is taken seriously?
    2. Are fear and sorrow the opposite of faith?
    3. What does "not as I will, but as you will" mean?
    4. Why does Jesus repeat the prayer?
    5. How does Gethsemane connect with the Lord's Prayer?
    6. What does "Rise, let us go" add?
    7. Why should Matthew not automatically be blended with Luke?
    Parallel passages
    • Matthew 6:9–13
    • Matthew 20:20–23
    • Mark 14:32–42
    • Luke 22:39–46
    Sources
    • The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), Matthew 26:36–46
    • Standard Greek lexical resources for lypeō, adēmoneō, perilypos, potērion, and thelēma