Luke 22:46
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
This is the third time Jesus found them sleeping (Matthew 26:40, 43, 45). Their repeated failure despite direct commands demonstrates the power of physical and emotional weakness to override even the Master's instruction. The disciples' sleep parallels Israel's spiritual slumber throughout Scripture—eyes heavy, ears dull, hearts hardened (Isaiah 6:9-10, 29:10). Within moments of this final warning, 'a multitude' led by Judas would arrive with swords and clubs (v. 47). The disciples had literally minutes left to prepare spiritually, but they wasted them in sleep.
Questions for Reflection
- What repeated wake-up calls has Jesus given you that you continue to ignore through spiritual drowsiness?
- How does this passage expose the direct link between prayerlessness and failure in spiritual testing?
- If Jesus were to ask you right now, 'Why sleep ye?'—what areas of neglected prayer would He be addressing?
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Analysis & Commentary
Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation—Jesus repeats His earlier command (v. 40) with increased urgency. The question Why sleep ye? (Τί καθεύδετε, Ti katheudete) expresses both disappointment and warning. The command to rise (ἀναστάντες, anastantes—'having stood up') requires action; prayer demands alert engagement, not passive drowsiness. Lest ye enter into temptation warns that prayerlessness guarantees spiritual defeat.
This was their final warning before Judas arrived (v. 47). The 'temptation' (πειρασμός, peirasmos) was imminent: they would be tempted to abandon Jesus, deny Him, preserve their own lives at the cost of their witness. Jesus had prayed and received strength (v. 43); they had slept and would soon scatter in weakness. The correlation between prayerlessness and collapse is absolute. Peter, who slept instead of praying, would deny Christ three times within hours. Those who neglect prayer in the garden will fail in the trial. Jesus models watchful prayer; the disciples model prayerless defeat.