Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 21
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
λέγει
called
G3004
λέγει
called
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Γεθσημανῆ,
Gethsemane
G1068
Γεθσημανῆ,
Gethsemane
Strong's:
G1068
Word #:
10 of 21
oil-press; gethsemane, a garden near jerusalem
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
called
G3004
λέγει
called
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Καθίσατε
Sit ye
G2523
Καθίσατε
Sit ye
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
15 of 21
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
αὐτοῦ
here
G847
αὐτοῦ
here
Strong's:
G847
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, belonging to the same spot, i.e., in this (or that) place
ἕως
while
G2193
ἕως
while
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
17 of 21
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
18 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπελθὼν
I go
G565
ἀπελθὼν
I go
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
19 of 21
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Matthew 26:42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.Matthew 26:39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Historical Context
Gethsemane was an olive grove on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. During Passover, when the city was overcrowded, pilgrims often camped in such gardens. Jesus frequented this place (Luke 22:39), making it familiar to Judas. Olive oil production gave the garden its name—olives were crushed in heavy stone presses, a fitting metaphor for Christ's coming anguish.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Jesus separate himself from even his closest disciples for this prayer, and what does this teach about the solitary nature of his atoning work?
- How does Jesus's deliberate choice to enter Gethsemane, knowing what awaited him, demonstrate the voluntary nature of his sacrifice?
- What does the location 'oil press' symbolically reveal about the crushing spiritual weight Christ was about to bear?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane (Γεθσημανί, Gethsēmani)—meaning 'oil press,' this garden at the Mount of Olives became the arena of Christ's greatest spiritual warfare. Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder—Jesus deliberately separated himself even from the disciples for the most intense prayer of his earthly life. The Greek proseuxōmai (προσεύξωμαι) indicates earnest, prolonged supplication.
This verse marks the transition from the Upper Room's teaching to Calvary's sacrifice. Jesus, knowing fully what awaited him (John 18:4), chose willing submission rather than escape. The garden setting parallels Eden—where the first Adam failed through disobedience, the last Adam would triumph through obedience unto death (Romans 5:19).