Matthew 26:40
New International Version
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

New Living Translation
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?

English Standard Version
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

Berean Literal Bible
And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, "So, were you not able to watch with Me one hour?

King James Bible
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

New King James Version
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?

New American Standard Bible
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?

NASB 1995
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?

NASB 1977
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?

Legacy Standard Bible
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?

Amplified Bible
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?

Christian Standard Bible
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with Me one hour?

American Standard Version
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Contemporary English Version
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, "Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour?

English Revised Version
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour?

Good News Translation
Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour?

International Standard Version
When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He told Peter, "So, you men couldn't stay awake with me for one hour, could you?

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. ?Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?? He asked Peter.

NET Bible
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour?

New Heart English Bible
He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, could you not watch with me for one hour?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith to Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Weymouth New Testament
Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour!

World English Bible
He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He comes to the disciples, and finds them sleeping, and He says to Peter, “So! You were not able to watch with Me one hour!

Berean Literal Bible
And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, "So, were you not able to watch with Me one hour?

Young's Literal Translation
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, 'So! ye were not able one hour to watch with me!

Smith's Literal Translation
And he comes to his disciples, and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, So were ye not able to watch with me one hour?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able to keep vigil with me for one hour?

New American Bible
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?

New Revised Standard Version
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he came to his disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, So, you were not able to watch with me even for one hour?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he came to his disciples and he found them as they slept and he said to Kaypha, “Could you not keep watch with me one hour?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter: Was it so, that you had not strength to watch with me one hour?

Godbey New Testament
And He comes to the disciples, and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, Were you not able to watch with me one hour?

Haweis New Testament
And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, Is it so, that ye have not strength to watch with me one hour?

Mace New Testament
then returning to the disciples, and finding them asleep, he said to Peter, what, could ye not watch by me one hour?

Weymouth New Testament
Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour!

Worrell New Testament
And He cometh to the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, "Were ye thus unable to watch with Me one hour?

Worsley New Testament
And coming to the disciples, he findeth them asleep, and saith to Peter, what! could ye not watch with me one hour?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
39Going 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.” 40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”…

Cross References
Mark 14:37
Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?

Luke 22:45-46
When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. / “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

Matthew 24:42
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. / Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

Proverbs 6:9-11
How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? / A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.

Proverbs 24:33-34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.

Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Jonah 1:6
The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”

Psalm 121:3-4
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. / Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 44:23
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.


Treasury of Scripture

And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?

and findeth.

Matthew 26:43
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

Matthew 25:5
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Song of Solomon 5:2
I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

What.

Matthew 26:35
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Judges 9:33
And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.

1 Samuel 26:15,16
And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord…

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Matthew 26
1. Jesus foretells his own death.
3. The rulers conspire against him.
6. The woman anoints his feet.
14. Judas bargains to betray him.
17. Jesus eats the Passover;
26. institutes his holy supper;
30. foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36. prays in the garden;
47. and being betrayed by a kiss,
57. is carried to Caiaphas,
69. and denied by Peter.














Then He returned
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as Jesus comes back to His disciples after a period of intense prayer. The Greek word for "returned" is "ἐλθὼν" (elthōn), which implies a deliberate action. Jesus' return signifies His readiness to face what is to come, demonstrating His obedience and submission to the Father's will. Historically, this moment is set in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of olive presses, symbolizing the pressing weight of the burden Jesus is about to bear.

to the disciples
The term "disciples" refers to Jesus' closest followers, specifically Peter, James, and John, whom He had taken with Him to pray. The Greek word "μαθηταί" (mathētai) means learners or students, highlighting their role as those who are being taught by Jesus. This context underscores the intimate relationship between Jesus and His disciples, who are witnesses to His humanity and divinity.

and found them sleeping
The phrase "found them sleeping" is a poignant reminder of human frailty. The Greek word "εὗρεν" (heuren) for "found" suggests a discovery that is both surprising and disappointing. The disciples' inability to stay awake reflects their physical and spiritual weakness, contrasting with Jesus' vigilance and dedication. This moment serves as a metaphor for spiritual slumber, urging believers to remain watchful and prayerful.

‘Could you not keep watch
Jesus' question, "Could you not keep watch," is both rhetorical and instructional. The Greek word "γρηγορεῖν" (grēgorein) for "keep watch" means to be vigilant or awake. This admonition is a call to spiritual alertness, emphasizing the importance of prayer and readiness in the face of temptation and trials. It serves as a timeless exhortation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

with Me
The phrase "with Me" highlights the relational aspect of discipleship. Jesus desires His followers to be present with Him, sharing in His sufferings and mission. The preposition "μετ’" (met’) indicates accompaniment and partnership. This call to be "with Me" is an invitation to participate in the life and work of Christ, fostering a deep, personal connection with the Savior.

for one hour?
The mention of "one hour" underscores the brevity and urgency of the moment. The Greek word "μίαν ὥραν" (mian hōran) signifies a specific, limited period. This reference to time serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of opportunities to serve and obey God. It challenges believers to seize the moment, recognizing the significance of even the smallest acts of faithfulness in the kingdom of God.

(40) He cometh unto the disciples.--Perhaps to both the groups--first of the three and then of the eight. All were alike sleeping--as St. Luke characteristically adds, "sleeping for sorrow."

What, could ye not watch . . .?--Literally, Were ye thus unable to watch? St. Mark (Mark 14:37) individualises the words--"Simon, sleepest thou?" He had boasted of his readiness to do great things. He could not so much as rouse himself to watch for one hour. The last word may be fairly taken as partly measuring the time that had passed since their Master had left them. As the words are reported we must believe that the disciples were just so far roused as to hear them, and that they sank back powerless into slumber.

Verse 40. - He cometh unto the disciples. He rose from prayer and returned to his three apostles, seeking their sympathy and the comfort of their presence in his lonely desolation. Findeth them asleep; sleeping. The comfort which his man's nature craved was denied him. St. Luke, the physician, says that the disciples were "sleeping for sorrow." Some great mental shock, some poignant distress, often produces a bodily stupor and sleep; but this is scarcely a valid excuse for such insensibility at this terrible crisis, especially as the Lord had urged them to watch (ver. 38). They had had a very trying day; Peter and John had undergone much bodily fatigue in preparing the last Supper; they were all weary, full of grief, and weighed down by foreboding; it was no wonder that they succumbed to these influences, though we might have expected that such as they would have risen superior to them. "The simple law, that extraordinary tension raises the highly developed spiritual life, while it stupefies the less developed, finds here its strongest illustration in the almost absolute contrast of spiritual watchfulness and sleep" (Lange). Saith unto Peter. Peter had been most forward in profession (vers. 33, 35); so Christ addresses him first. The other two, James and John, bad boldly asserted that they were able to drink of Christ's cup of suffering (Matthew 20:22); so they are included in the tender reproach. What (οὕτως), could ye not watch with me? So, could ye not, etc.? Is it so that? Are ye unable to do even this little thing for me? Truly a pathetic reproof! One hour. It may be that this first stage of the agony had lasted for an hour, but the term is more probably indefinite; or it may refer to the whole time of trial.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[Jesus] returned
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

disciples
μαθητὰς (mathētas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

found
εὑρίσκει (heuriskei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

them
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sleeping.
καθεύδοντας (katheudontas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2518: To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.

“Were you not able
ἰσχύσατε (ischysate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2480: To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.

to keep watch
γρηγορῆσαι (grēgorēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1127: (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.

with
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

Me
ἐμοῦ (emou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[for] one
μίαν (mian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

hour?”
ὥραν (hōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.

He asked
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

Peter.
Πέτρῳ (Petrō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.


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Matthew 26:39
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