Matthew 26:40
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.
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.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, experiencing deep sorrow and distress as He prepares for His impending crucifixion.

2. Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter is specifically addressed by Jesus in this verse, highlighting his failure to stay awake and pray.

3. Disciples
The group of Jesus' followers who accompanied Him to the garden. They were asked to keep watch and pray but fell asleep instead.

4. Garden of Gethsemane
A place on the Mount of Olives where Jesus often went to pray. It is the setting for this event, symbolizing a place of trial and spiritual struggle.

5. The Event of Prayer and Vigilance
This event underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and prayer, especially in times of trial.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance
Just as Jesus asked His disciples to keep watch, we are called to be spiritually vigilant in our own lives, recognizing the constant presence of spiritual battles.

The Weakness of the Flesh
This passage highlights the human tendency to succumb to physical weakness, reminding us of the need for reliance on God's strength through prayer.

The Call to Prayer
Jesus' request for His disciples to pray underscores the necessity of prayer as a means of spiritual fortification and communion with God.

Learning from Failure
Peter's failure to stay awake serves as a lesson in humility and the need for perseverance in our spiritual disciplines.

The Role of Community in Spiritual Support
Jesus' desire for His disciples to watch with Him illustrates the importance of community and mutual support in times of spiritual trial.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jesus' request for the disciples to keep watch with Him in the garden apply to our own spiritual lives today?

2. In what ways can we overcome the "weakness of the flesh" that Jesus mentions in the following verse (Matthew 26:41)?

3. How does Peter's later teaching in 1 Peter 5:8 reflect his experience in the Garden of Gethsemane?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are spiritually vigilant and prayerful in our daily lives?

5. How can we support one another in our spiritual journeys, especially during times of trial, as illustrated by Jesus' interaction with His disciples?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:41
Jesus instructs the disciples to watch and pray to avoid temptation, emphasizing the spirit's willingness but the flesh's weakness.

1 Peter 5:8
Peter later writes about being sober-minded and watchful, reflecting his understanding of the need for vigilance against spiritual adversaries.

Luke 22:46
Luke's account of the same event, where Jesus again urges the disciples to pray to avoid falling into temptation.

Ephesians 6:18
Paul encourages believers to pray in the Spirit on all occasions, highlighting the importance of constant prayer and alertness.
Sunday Next Before EasterThomas ArnoldMatthew 26:40
JudasMarcus Dods Matthew 26:14-25, 47-50
The Agony in the GardenJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 26:36-46
All Sins DangerousBishop Henshaw.Matthew 26:40-45
Christian CautionSunday Teacher's TreasuryMatthew 26:40-45
Christian VigilanceT. H. Walker.Matthew 26:40-45
Christ's Consideration for the Weakness of His FollowersT. G. Herren.Matthew 26:40-45
Conflict of Flesh and SpiritSpencer.Matthew 26:40-45
Conflict of the Spirit with the FleshJ. G. Pilkington.Matthew 26:40-45
Danger of Sleep in Times of TemptationR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Entering into TemptationE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
How to Treat TemptationW. Mason.Matthew 26:40-45
Importance of ResolutionE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
Lip-DevotionR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
PrayerW. Leechman.Matthew 26:40-45
Prayer in Time of TemptationR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Preparing for TemptationR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Sins of InfirmityT. Sherlock, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Sins of Will and Sins of InfirmityE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
Sleep on Now, EtcJohn Trapp.Matthew 26:40-45
Spirit Willing, Flesh WeakJohn Whitty.Matthew 26:40-45
TemptationA. Watson, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
The Attractions of Two WorldsE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
The Defence of PrayerE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
The Disciples in GethsemaneC. J. Proctor.Matthew 26:40-45
The Sentinel and the ArsenalG. H. Jackson.Matthew 26:40-45
The Willing Spirit and the Weak FleshC. Bradley.Matthew 26:40-45
Watch and Pray -- Danger Lurking in TriflesC. H. Spurgeon.Matthew 26:40-45
Watch Our StrengthA. Watson, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Watch the Beginnings of SinT. H. Walker.Matthew 26:40-45
Watch the Occasions of SinT. H. Walker.Matthew 26:40-45
Watchfulness and PrayerR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
WatchingR. South, D. D.Matthew 26:40-45
Watching unto PrayerDr. Edmond.Matthew 26:40-45
Watching with ChristH. W. Beecher.Matthew 26:40-45
What is WatchfulnessE. Stillingfleet.Matthew 26:40-45
People
Caiaphas, Jesus, Judas, Peter, Simon, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Bethany, Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Nazareth
Topics
Able, Alas, Asleep, Awake, Couldn't, Disciples, Findeth, Finds, Hour, None, Peter, Says, Sees, Single, Sleeping, Thus, Watch
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 26:40

     4948   hour
     5436   pain
     5533   sleep, physical
     5564   suffering, of Christ
     5885   indifference
     5973   unreliability
     8463   priority, of faith, hope and love
     8616   prayerlessness

Matthew 26:36-41

     8493   watchfulness, believers

Matthew 26:36-42

     2570   Christ, suffering

Matthew 26:36-43

     8613   prayer, persistence

Matthew 26:36-44

     6252   temptation, and Christ

Matthew 26:36-46

     2360   Christ, prayers of
     5537   sleeplessness

Matthew 26:37-44

     5559   stress

Matthew 26:38-40

     5946   sensitivity

Matthew 26:39-42

     1115   God, purpose of
     2060   Christ, patience of

Matthew 26:39-44

     2575   Christ, temptation

Matthew 26:40-41

     5113   Peter, disciple
     7632   Twelve, characters of

Library
January 9. "Not as I Will, but as Thou Wilt" (Matt. xxvi. 39).
"Not as I will, but as Thou wilt" (Matt. xxvi. 39). "To will and do of His good pleasure" (Phil. ii. 13). There are two attitudes in which our will should be given to God. First. We should have the surrendered will. This is where we must all begin, by yielding up to God our natural will, and having Him possess it. But next, He wants us to have the victorious will. As soon as He receives our will in honest surrender, He wants to put His will into it and make it stronger than ever for Him. It is henceforth
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 29. "Could Ye not Watch with Me one Hour?" (Matt. xxvi. 40. )
"Could ye not watch with Me one hour?" (Matt. xxvi. 40.) A young lady whose parents had died while she was an infant, had been kindly cared for by a dear friend of the family. Before she was old enough to know him, he went to Europe. Regularly he wrote to her through all his years of absence, and never failed to send her money for all her wants. Finally word came that during a certain week he would return and visit her. He did not fix the day or the hour. She received several invitations to take
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 3. "Watch and Pray" (Matt. xxvi. 41).
"Watch and pray" (Matt. xxvi. 41). We need to watch for prayers as well as for the answers to our prayers. It needs as much wisdom to pray rightly as it does faith to receive the answers to our prayers. We met a friend the other day, who had been in years of darkness because God had failed to answer certain prayers, and the result had been a state bordering on infidelity. A very few moments were sufficient to convince this friend that these prayers had been entirely unauthorized, and that God had
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'Until that Day'
'I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.'--MATT. xxvi. 29. This remarkable saying of our Lord's is recorded in all of the accounts of the institution of the Lord's Supper. The thought embodied in it ought to be present in the minds of all who partake of that rite. It converts what is primarily a memorial into a prophecy. It bids us hope as well as, and because we, remember. The light behind us is cast forward on to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Last Pleading of Love
'And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?'--MATT. xxvi. 50. We are accustomed to think of the betrayer of our Lord as a kind of monster, whose crime is so mysterious in its atrocity as to put him beyond the pale of human sympathy. The awful picture which the great Italian poet draws of him as alone in hell, shunned even there, as guilty beyond all others, expresses the general feeling about him. And even the attempts which have been made to diminish the greatness of his guilt, by
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Charged with Blasphemy
'Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?'--MATT. xxvi. 65. Jesus was tried and condemned by two tribunals, the Jewish ecclesiastical and the Roman civil. In each case the charge corresponded to the Court. The Sanhedrin took no cognisance of, and had no concern with, rebellion against Caesar; though for the time they pretended loyalty. Pilate had still less concern about Jewish superstitions. And so the investigation in each
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Passover
'Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the passover? 18. And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with My disciples. 19. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20. Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve. 21. And as they did eat, He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'This Cup'
'And Jesus took the cup, and grave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28. For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'--MATT. xxvi. 27, 28. The comparative silence of our Lord as to the sacrificial character of His death has very often been urged as a reason for doubting that doctrine, and for regarding it as no part of the original Christian teaching. That silence may be accounted for by sufficient reasons. It has been very much
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gethsemane, the Oil-Press
'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 farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Real High Priest and his Counterfeit
'And they that had laid hold on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58. But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death; 60. But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61. And said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
'Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. 8. But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10. When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me. 11. For ye have the poor
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances.
TEXT: MATT. xxvi. 36-46. TO be a religious man and to pray are really one and the same thing. To join the thought of God with every thought of any importance that occurs to us; in all our admiration of external nature, to regard it as the work of His wisdom; to take counsel with God about all our plans, that we may be able to carry them out in His name; and even in our most mirthful hours to remember His all-seeing eye; this is the prayer without ceasing to which we are called, and which is really
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

An Awful Contrast
"Then did they spit in his face."--Matthew 26:67. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away."--Revelation 20:11. GUIDED BY OUR TEXT in Matthew's Gospel, let us first go in thought to the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, and there let us, in deepest sorrow, realize the meaning of these terrible words: "Then did they spit in his face." There is more of deep and awful thunder in them than in the bolt that bursts overhead, there is
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896

A Woman's Memorial
And now my prayer is that we may be endued this morning with the same spirit as that which prompted the woman, when she broke her alabaster box upon the head of Christ. There must be something wonderful about this story, or else Christ would not have linked it with his gospel, for so hath he done. So long as this gospel lives shall this story of the woman be told; and when this story of the woman ceaseth to exist, then the gospel must cease to exist also, for they are co-eternal. As long as this
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Sunday Next Before Easter.
What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. These words, we cannot doubt, have an application to ourselves, and to all Christians, far beyond the particular occasion on which they were actually spoken. They are, in fact, the words which Christ addresses daily to all of us. Every day, when he sees how often we have gone astray from him, he repeats to us, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Every
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Wyclif -- Christ's Real Body not in the Eucharist
John Wyclif, eminent as scholar, preacher, and translator, was born in 1324 in Spresswel, near Richmond, Yorkshire, England. Known as the "Morning Star of the Reformation" he was a vigorous and argumentative speaker, exemplifying his own definition of preaching as something which should be "apt, apparent, full of true feeling, fearless in rebuking sins, and so addrest to the heart as to enlighten the spirit and subdue the will." On these lines he organized a band of Bible preachers who worked largely
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

That Man must not be Immersed in Business
"My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then thou shalt find it for thy profit." 2. O Lord, right freely I commit all things to Thee; for my planning can profit but little. Oh that I did not dwell so much on future events, but could offer myself altogether to Thy pleasures without delay. 3. "My Son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his Death.
(Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday After Sunset, Which Jews Regarded as the Beginning of Wednesday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 1-5, 14-16; ^B Mark XIV. 1, 2, 10, 11; ^C Luke XXII. 1-6. ^c 1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. { ^b 1 Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread:} ^a 1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
(Bethany to Jerusalem. Thursday Afternoon and, After Sunset, Beginning of Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 17-20; ^B Mark XIV. 12-17; ^C Luke XXII. 7-18, 24-30. ^c 7 And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed. [See p. 57. Leaven was to the Jew a symbol of corruption and impurity, because it causes bread to become stale. The feast of unleavened bread began properly on the fifteenth of Nisan, and lasted seven days, but this was the fourteenth Nisan, the day on which the paschal
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 26-29; ^B Mark XIV. 22-25; ^C Luke XXII. 19, 20; ^F I. Cor. XI. 23-26. ^a 26 And as they were eating, ^f the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, { ^b blessed,} ^f he brake it, ^a and he gave to the disciples, and said, ^b Take ye: ^a Take, eat; this is my body. ^f which is ^c given ^f for you: this do in remembrance of me. [As only unleavened bread was eaten during the paschal supper,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Betrayed, Arrested, and Forsaken.
(Gethsemane. Friday, Several Hours Before Dawn.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 47-56; ^B Mark XIV. 43-52; ^C Luke XXII. 47-53; ^D John XVIII. 2-11. ^d 2 Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. [See p. 583.] 3 Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. ^b 43 And straightway, while he yet spake, ^a lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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