Lexical Summary agónia: Agony, anguish Original Word: ἀγωνία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance agony. From agon; a struggle (properly, the state), i.e. (figuratively) anguish -- agony. see GREEK agon HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 74 agōnía (a feminine noun; see also 73 /agṓn, the masculine noun) – the brand of struggle that emphasizes felt pressure, i.e. experienced in an intensely personal way (used only in Lk 22:44). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agón Definition a contest, great fear NASB Translation agony (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 74: ἀγωνίαἀγωνία, (ας, ἡ; 1. equivalent to ἀγών, which see. 2. It is often used, from Demosthenes (on the Crown, p. 236, 19 ἦν ὁ Φίλιππος ἐν φόβῳ καί πολλή ἀγωνία) down, of severe mental struggles and emotions, agony, anguish: Luke 22:44 (L brackets WH reject the passage); (2 Macc. 3:14, 16 2Macc. 15:19; Josephus, Antiquities 11, 8, 4 ὁ ἀρχιερεύς ἦν ἐν ἀγωνία καί δηι. (Cf. Field, Otium Norv. iii. on Luke, the passage cited.) The word ἀγωνία (agonía) depicts the height of emotional and physical strain, the climactic tension of conflict before the outcome is settled. It conveys inner turmoil so intense that the body itself is pressed to its limits. Biblical Occurrence Luke 22:44 is the sole appearance of ἀγωνία in the Greek New Testament. The Evangelist situates the term within the Garden of Gethsemane, at the threshold of the Passion. Context in Luke 22:44 “And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44) The verse is framed by verses 42–46, where Jesus withdraws “about a stone’s throw” from His disciples, kneels, and entrusts His will to the Father. The participle ὑπάρχων (“being”) underscores that the Lord, already in a condition of agony, intensifies His prayer. Luke the physician notes a physiological symptom—sweat thick as clotted blood—underscoring the authenticity of the suffering. Christological Significance 1. Voluntary Submission: The agony displays the full humanity of Christ. He who had steadfastly foretold His death (Luke 9:22; Luke 18:31–33) now tastes its horror in advance yet submits: “Yet not My will, but Yours, be done.” Historical Background Greco-Roman literature used agonía for athletes straining toward victory or soldiers bracing for battle. Luke’s audience would recognize the battlefield nuance, seeing Jesus as the Champion waging decisive combat not against flesh and blood but against sin, death, and Satan. Related Themes in Scripture • The Cup and Baptism Motifs: Psalm 75:8; Mark 10:38. Pastoral and Devotional Implications 1. Identification with Sufferers: Believers facing overwhelming distress find assurance that Christ has entered the deepest valley and can “sympathize with our weaknesses.” Application for Ministry • Counseling: Direct the afflicted to the Savior who understands agony from within, providing both empathy and deliverance. Summary Strong’s Greek 74, ἀγωνία, encapsulates the Lord’s profound distress at Gethsemane—an incomparable moment where the sinless Son of God embraced the full weight of redemptive suffering. The term calls believers to behold the gravity of the atonement, to approach their High Priest with confidence, and to follow His example of urgent, submissive prayer in every crisis of faith. |
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