Mark 14:34
And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Περίλυπός
exceeding sorrowful
G4036
Περίλυπός
exceeding sorrowful
Strong's:
G4036
Word #:
4 of 14
grieved all around, i.e., intensely sad
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχή
soul
G5590
ψυχή
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
7 of 14
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ἕως
unto
G2193
ἕως
unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
9 of 14
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
θανάτου·
death
G2288
θανάτου·
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
10 of 14
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
μείνατε
tarry ye
G3306
μείνατε
tarry ye
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
11 of 14
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
Historical Context
Mark's Gospel, written around AD 65-70, presents Jesus to a Roman audience facing persecution. This scene in Gethsemane ("oil press") occurs during Passover week, after the Last Supper. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John—His inner circle who witnessed the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2)—to watch with Him as He faces the Father's will.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' honest expression of sorrowful agony challenge superficial understandings of faith that deny emotional struggle?
- What does Christ's desire for companionship in suffering teach about the role of community during spiritual trials?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death (περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου ἕως θανάτου)—Jesus declares His psychē (soul, inner life) is perilypos (surrounded by grief, overwhelmed with sorrow) to the point of death itself. This echoes Psalm 42:5-6, 11 and 43:5 where the psalmist cries, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Christ experiences the full weight of anticipatory anguish as He approaches the cup of God's wrath against sin.
Tarry ye here, and watch (γρηγορεῖτε)—The command to grēgoreō (stay awake, be vigilant) connects to Jesus' earlier eschatological warnings (Mark 13:33-37). In Gethsemane, spiritual watchfulness becomes intensely personal—Jesus needs human companionship in His agony, yet the disciples will fail three times (vv. 37, 40, 41), prefiguring Peter's three denials. Christ bears the horror of sin's cup alone, tasting the dereliction humanity deserves.