Mark 14:40
And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping--for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
And again Jesus returned
This phrase highlights the persistence and dedication of Jesus in His time of prayer and preparation for the crucifixion. The Greek word for "returned" is "erchomai," which implies a deliberate action. Jesus' repeated return to His disciples underscores His human need for companionship and support during His time of anguish, as well as His divine patience and understanding of human frailty.

and found them sleeping
The word "found" in Greek is "heuriskō," which means to discover or come upon. This indicates that Jesus was actively seeking His disciples, hoping to find them vigilant. The disciples' sleeping is symbolic of spiritual lethargy and unpreparedness, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as a warning against complacency in faith.

for their eyes were heavy
The phrase "eyes were heavy" uses the Greek word "bareō," meaning to be weighed down or burdened. This physical description of the disciples' condition also serves as a metaphor for spiritual drowsiness. It reflects the human condition of being overwhelmed by the physical and emotional demands of life, which can lead to neglect of spiritual vigilance.

And they did not know what to answer Him
This phrase captures the disciples' confusion and shame. The Greek word "apokrinomai" for "answer" suggests a response or defense. Their inability to respond indicates a lack of understanding and preparedness, highlighting the importance of spiritual readiness. This moment serves as a poignant reminder of the need for constant prayer and watchfulness, especially in times of trial.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, experiencing deep anguish as He prays before His impending crucifixion.

2. Disciples
Specifically, Peter, James, and John, who were asked by Jesus to keep watch while He prayed. They represent human frailty and the struggle to remain spiritually vigilant.

3. Garden of Gethsemane
A place of significant spiritual struggle and prayer, located on the Mount of Olives. It serves as the setting for Jesus' prayer and the disciples' failure to stay awake.

4. Sleep
Symbolizes spiritual lethargy and the disciples' inability to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

5. Heavy Eyes
A metaphor for the disciples' physical and spiritual exhaustion, highlighting their human limitations.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Vigilance
Just as the disciples struggled to stay awake, Christians today must remain spiritually vigilant, especially in times of trial and temptation.

Human Frailty
The disciples' inability to stay awake serves as a reminder of our human weaknesses and the need for reliance on God's strength.

The Importance of Prayer
Jesus' example of persistent prayer in Gethsemane underscores the necessity of prayer in seeking God's will and strength.

Awareness of Spiritual Warfare
The disciples' sleepiness symbolizes a lack of awareness of the spiritual battle at hand. Believers must be conscious of the spiritual realm and its influence on daily life.

Accountability and Community
Jesus' disappointment with the disciples highlights the importance of accountability and support within the Christian community.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the disciples' inability to stay awake reveal about human nature, and how can we apply this understanding to our spiritual lives?

2. How does Jesus' response to the disciples' sleepiness inform our approach to dealing with spiritual lethargy in ourselves and others?

3. In what ways can we cultivate a habit of spiritual vigilance in our daily lives, and what role does prayer play in this process?

4. How can we support and hold each other accountable within our Christian communities to remain spiritually alert and engaged?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "asleep." What steps did you take, or could you take, to reawaken your spiritual life, and how do other scriptures inform this process?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:40-41
This parallel account emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance and prayer to overcome temptation.

Luke 22:45-46
Adds the detail that the disciples were sleeping from sorrow, providing insight into their emotional state.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
Encourages believers to stay awake and be sober, drawing a parallel to the need for spiritual alertness.

Proverbs 6:9-11
Warns against the dangers of slothfulness, which can be applied to spiritual laziness.
Power of SleepChristian JournalMark 14:40
The Betrayal by JudasJ.J. Given Mark 14:1-11, 18-21, 43-50
BetrayalR. Green Mark 14:10, 11, 17-21, 43-52
The Agony in GethsemaneJ.J. Given Mark 14:26-42
Peter's FallR. Green Mark 14:27-31, 66-72
GethsemaneR. Green Mark 14:32-42
GethsemaneE. Johnson Mark 14:32-42
The Agony in the GardenA.F. Muir Mark 14:32-42
Sorrow, Sleep, and SinA. Rowland Mark 14:39-43
People
James, Jesus, John, Judas, Peter, Simon
Places
Bethany, Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives
Topics
Asleep, Didn't, Heavy, Nothing, Returned, Returning, Sleeping, Tired, Wist
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 14:32-40

     8613   prayer, persistence

Mark 14:32-41

     2360   Christ, prayers of

Mark 14:32-42

     5537   sleeplessness
     6252   temptation, and Christ

Mark 14:35-41

     2575   Christ, temptation

Mark 14:40-41

     8616   prayerlessness

Library
July 28 Evening
Let your requests be made known unto God.--PHIL. 4:6. Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.--There was given to me a thorn in the flesh. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 18 Evening
She hath done what she could.--MARK 14:8. This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.--Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.--If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.--If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 7 Evening
Jesus . . . was moved with compassion toward them.--MATT. 14:14. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.--We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.--Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.--He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

'Is it I?'
'Is it I?'--Mark xiv. 19 The scene shows that Judas had not as yet drawn any suspicion on himself. Here the Apostles seem to be higher than their ordinary stature; for they do not take to questioning one another, or even to protest, 'No!' but to questioning Christ. I. The solemn prophecy. It seems strange at first sight that our Lord should have introduced such thoughts then, disturbing the sweet repose of that hallowed hour. But the terrible fact of the betrayal was naturally suggested by the emblems
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Sleeping Apostle
'Simon, sleepest thou!'--Mark xiv. 37 It is a very old Christian tradition that this Gospel is in some sense the Apostle Peter's. There are not many features in the Gospel itself which can be relied on as confirming this idea. Perhaps one such may be found in this plaintive remonstrance, which is only preserved for us here. Matthew's Gospel, indeed, tells us that the rebuke was addressed to Peter, but blunts the sharp point of it as directed to him, by throwing it into the plural, as if spoken to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Secret Rendezvous
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the pastorer, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the passover? 13. And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples?
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Passover
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, the disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the Passover? 13. And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Strong Crying and Tears'
'And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33. And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34. And saith onto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
'And immediately, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44. And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely. 45. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to Him, and saith, Master, Master; and kissed Him. 46. And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him. 47. And one of them that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Condemnation which Condemns the Judges
'And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found none. 56. For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together. 57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against Him, saying, 58. We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59. But neither so did their witness agree together. 60. And the high priest stood up in their
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Alabaster Box
'And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me.... 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying. 9. Verily I say unto you. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.'--Mark xiv. 6-9. John's Gospel sets this incident in its due framework of time and place, and tells us the names of the actors. The time was within a week
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Questions About the Lord's Supper
THE paper which begins at this page requires a few words of prefatory explanation. It consists of fifty-one questions about the Lord's Supper, with special reference to points which are the subject of much dispute and controversy in the present day. It supplies fifty-one answers to these questions, chiefly drawn from the New Testament, and the Articles, Communion Service, and Catechism of the Church of England. It contains, in addition, some valuable extracts from the writings of standard English
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare Himself with Great Diligence
The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Twenty-Eighth Lesson. Father! not what I Will;'
Father! Not what I will;' Or, Christ the Sacrifice. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what Thou wilt.'--Mark xiv. 36. WHAT a contrast within the space of a few hours! What a transition from the quiet elevation of that, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, FATHER I WILL,' to that falling on the ground and crying in agony. My Father! Not what I will.' In the one we see the High Priest within the veil in His
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
"She hath done what she could."--MARK 14:8. MY DEAR SISTER, You doubtless feel a deep interest in the great benevolent enterprises of the present day. No one who possesses the spirit of our Master can be indifferent towards them. It is important, then, that you should know what you can do towards moving forward these enterprises. For, remember that your obligation is as extensive as your ability. Christ commended the woman, referred to in the passage above quoted for doing "what she could."
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

Mark.
Commentaries. George Petter (the largest Com. on M., London, 1661, 2 vols. fol.); C. Fr. A. Fritzsche (Evangelium Marci, Lips., 1830); A. Klostermann (Das Marcusevangelium nach seinem Quellenwerthe für die evang. Gesch., Göttingen, 1867); B. Weiss (Das Marcusevangelium und seine synopt. Parallelen, Berlin, 1872); Meyer (6th ed. by Weiss, Gött., 1878); Joseph A. Alexander (New York, 1858, and London, 1866); Harvey Goodwin (London, 1860); John H. Godwin (London, 1869); James Morison
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

"She Hath done what She Could. " Mark 14:8.
"She hath done what she could." Mark 14:8. 1 Bless, O bless, Almighty Father, Woman's mission with our race,-- Her fond strivings here to gather Fruits of thy redeeming grace. 2 Though her way be not where honor Wins the gazing world's acclaim, Yet we bless thee that upon her Rests the power of Jesus' name. 3 In that name, O Father, strengthen Her full heart and ready hands; May her efforts serve to lengthen Christian love's encircling bands. 4 Where the mourning and the needy And the suffering
J.G. Adams—Hymns for Christian Devotion

Jerusalem
For the history of the disciples after the death of Jesus we are dependent upon a single source, the Acts of the Apostles, which can, however, be controlled, and to some extent corrected, by the gospels and by the epistles of Paul. It is now generally recognised that if any one wishes to write a life of Christ he ought to base his work not on the gospels as we have them now, but rather on the information provided by the critical analysis of the gospels as to their sources. These sources, or at least
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity

Watch and Pray. --Mark. xiv. 38
Watch and Pray.--Mark. xiv. 38. Our Saviour's words are "Watch and Pray:" Lord, make us willing to obey; Lord, make us able to fulfil Thy counsel--give both power and will. The wisdom from above impart, To keep our hand, and tongue, and heart, In thought, word, deed,--that so we may Pray whilst we watch, watch while we pray. Lest while we watch, and fear no snare, We fall into neglect of prayer; Or, while we pray, and watch not, sin Creep like a subtil serpent in. When by an evil world beset,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is Hidden Within.
As the rind of the pomegranate is the least part of it, and includes all its excellence, so with this soul, its exterior appears of small account in comparison with what is concealed within. [42] The interior is filled with, the purest charity and the most advanced graces, but hidden under a very common exterior; for God takes pleasure in hiding away the souls He destines for Himself. Men are not worthy to know them, though the angels admire and respect them even under the humblest external form
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

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