30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. |
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. |
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. |
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. |
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. |
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. |
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. |
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. |
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. |
39 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. |
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? |
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. |
42 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. |
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. |
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. |
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. |
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. |
47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. |
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. |
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. |
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. |
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. |
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. |
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? |
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? |
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. |
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. |
26
26:30 And when they had sung the hymn - Which was constantly sung at the close of the passover. It consisteth of six psalms, from the 113th to the 118th. Psa 113:1 etc. The mount of Olives - Was over against the temple, about two miles from Jerusalem. Mar 14:26; Luk 22:39; Joh 18:1.
26:31 All ye will be offended at me - Something will happen to me, which will occasion your falling into sin by forsaking me. Zec 13:7.
26:32 But notwithstanding this, after I am risen I will go before you (as a shepherd before his sheep) into Galilee. Though you forsake me, I will not for this forsake you.
26:34 Before cock crowing thou wilt deny me thrice - That is, before three in the morning, the usual time of cock crowing: although one cock was heard to crow once, after Peter's first denial of his Lord.
26:35 In like manner also said all the disciples - But such was the tenderness of our Lord, that he would not aggravate their sin by making any reply.
26:36 Then cometh Jesus to a place called Gethsemane - That is, the valley of fatness. The garden probably had its name from its soil and situation, laying in some little valley between two of those many hills, the range of which constitutes the mount of Olives. Mar 14:32; Luk 22:40.
26:37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - To be witnesses of all; he began to be sorrowful and in deep anguish - Probably from feeling the arrows of the Almighty stick fast inhis soul, while God laid on him the iniquities of us all. Who can tell what painful and dreadful sensations were then impressed on him by the immediate hand of God? The former word in the original properly signifies, to be penetrated with the most exquisite sorrow; the latter to be quite depressed, and almost overwhelmed with the load.
26:39 And going a little farther - About a stone's cast, Luk 22:41- So that the apostles could both see and hear himstill. If it be possible, let this cup pass from me - And it did pass from him quickly. When he cried unto God with strong cries and tears, he was heard in that which he feared. God did take away the terror and severity of that inward conflict.
26:41 The spirit - Your spirit: ye yourselves. The flesh - Your nature. How gentle a rebuke was this, and how kind an apology!especially at a time when our Lord's own mind was so weighed down with sorrow.
26:45 Sleep on now, if you can, and take your rest - For any farther service you can be of to me.
26:47 Mar 14:43; Luk 22:47; Joh 18:2.
26:50 The heroic behaviour of the blessed Jesus, in the whole period of his sufferings, will be observed by every attentive eye, and felt by every pious heart: although the sacred historians, according to their usual but wonderful simplicity, make no encomiums upon it. With what composure does he go forth to meet the traitor! With what calmness receive that malignant kiss! With what dignity does he deliver himself into the hands of his enemies! Yet plainly showing his superiority over them, and even then leading as it were captivity captive!
26:51 And one of them striking the servant of the high priest - Probably the person that seized Jesus first; Cut off his ear - Aiming, it seems, to cleave his head, but that by a secretprovidence interposing, he declined the blow. Mar 14:47; Luk 22:49; Joh 18:10.
26:52 All they that take the sword - Without God's giving it them: without sufficient authority.
26:53 He will presently give me more than twelve legions of angels - The least of whom, it is probable, could overturn the earth anddestroy all the inhabitants of it.
26:55 Mar 14:48; Luk 22:52