Gethsemane agony: 'And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.' Jesus experienced 'agony' (ἀγωνίᾳ, agōnia), anguished struggle. He 'prayed more earnestly' (ἐκτενέστερον προσηύχετο, ektenesteron prosēucheto, more intensely/fervently). The physical manifestation: 'his sweat was as it were great drops of blood' (ἐγένετο ὁ ἱδρὼς αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ θρόμβοι αἵματος, egeneto ho hidrōs autou hōsei thromboi haimatos). This describes hematidrosis, a rare medical condition where extreme stress causes capillaries to rupture, mixing blood with sweat. The description emphasizes Christ's intense suffering in contemplating the cross—not primarily physical torture but bearing sin's full weight and Father's wrath.
Historical Context
Jesus' Gethsemane suffering reveals the cross's horror. He wasn't afraid of physical pain (many martyrs faced death courageously), but of bearing sin and experiencing separation from the Father. Isaiah 53:10 says 'it pleased the LORD to bruise him,' putting Him to grief as a sin offering. Jesus would become sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), experiencing the Father's wrath we deserved. This prospect caused such agony that He sweat blood. The Father heard His prayer (Hebrews 5:7) but didn't remove the cup—salvation required Jesus' sacrificial death. This passage refutes any suggestion that Jesus' suffering was merely physical. The spiritual anguish of bearing sin and experiencing divine abandonment (Matthew 27:46) exceeded any physical torture.
Questions for Reflection
What caused Jesus' agony in Gethsemane—fear of physical suffering or something deeper?
What does Jesus sweating blood reveal about the intensity of His spiritual suffering?
How does Jesus' willing acceptance of this suffering demonstrate His love for sinners?
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Analysis & Commentary
Gethsemane agony: 'And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.' Jesus experienced 'agony' (ἀγωνίᾳ, agōnia), anguished struggle. He 'prayed more earnestly' (ἐκτενέστερον προσηύχετο, ektenesteron prosēucheto, more intensely/fervently). The physical manifestation: 'his sweat was as it were great drops of blood' (ἐγένετο ὁ ἱδρὼς αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ θρόμβοι αἵματος, egeneto ho hidrōs autou hōsei thromboi haimatos). This describes hematidrosis, a rare medical condition where extreme stress causes capillaries to rupture, mixing blood with sweat. The description emphasizes Christ's intense suffering in contemplating the cross—not primarily physical torture but bearing sin's full weight and Father's wrath.