Matthew 26:38
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 16
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
λέγει
saith he
G3004
λέγει
saith he
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 16
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 16
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 16
grieved all around, i.e., intensely sad
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχή
soul
G5590
ψυχή
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
7 of 16
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ἕως
even unto
G2193
ἕως
even unto
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
9 of 16
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
θανάτου·
death
G2288
θανάτου·
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
10 of 16
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
μείνατε
tarry ye
G3306
μείνατε
tarry ye
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
11 of 16
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γρηγορεῖτε
watch
G1127
γρηγορεῖτε
watch
Strong's:
G1127
Word #:
14 of 16
to keep awake, i.e., watch (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
John 12:27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Isaiah 53:10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:Isaiah 53:3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.1 Peter 4:7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Historical Context
Jewish night watches were traditionally times of prayer (Psalm 63:6, 119:148). Jesus asked the disciples to join him in vigilant prayer during this critical hour. The request 'watch with me' reveals Christ's true humanity—in his darkest hour, he desired human companionship, though his atoning work could only be accomplished alone. This was Thursday night of Passion Week, hours before his arrest and crucifixion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's honest expression of his soul's anguish encourage you to bring your own deep sorrows to the Father in prayer?
- What does Jesus's request for companionship ('watch with me') reveal about the incarnation and his genuine human experience?
- How does understanding that Christ's sorrow was 'unto death' (reaching to the point of death itself) illuminate what he endured in your place?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death (περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου ἕως θανάτου, perilupos estin hē psychē mou heōs thanatou)—literally 'surrounded by grief to the point of death.' The word perilupos indicates sorrow pressing in from all sides. Jesus quotes Psalm 42:5-6, identifying with the psalmist's overwhelming anguish. Tarry ye here, and watch with me (γρηγορεῖτε μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ, grēgoreite met' emou)—the command to 'stay alert' spiritually, not merely keep awake physically.
This is Christ's most vulnerable moment recorded in Scripture. The sinless Son, who knew no sin, was about to be 'made sin' (2 Corinthians 5:21). His soul-anguish foreshadows the spiritual death—separation from the Father—he would experience on the cross when crying 'My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Matthew 27:46).