Matthew 26:45
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 27
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἔρχεται
cometh he
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh he
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 27
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 27
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 #:
8 of 27
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 #:
9 of 27
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
Καθεύδετε
Sleep on
G2518
Καθεύδετε
Sleep on
Strong's:
G2518
Word #:
10 of 27
to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀναπαύεσθε·
take your rest
G373
ἀναπαύεσθε·
take your rest
Strong's:
G373
Word #:
14 of 27
(reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication, to refresh
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
21 of 27
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδίδοται
is betrayed
G3860
παραδίδοται
is betrayed
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
24 of 27
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
25 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.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.John 17:1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Historical Context
The 'hour' (ὥρα) refers to Jesus's appointed time of suffering, frequently mentioned in John (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1). The divine timetable couldn't be rushed or delayed—Judas's betrayal occurred precisely when ordained. The description of Jesus's captors as 'sinners' (ἁμάρτωλοι) emphasizes the innocence of the victim and guilt of the captors. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied Messiah would be 'numbered with the transgressors'—now fulfilling as sinners arrest the sinless.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's ironic 'Sleep on now' rebuke you when opportunities for spiritual alertness pass unused?
- What does the precision of 'the hour' teach about God's sovereign timing—neither early nor late but exactly appointed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest (τότε ἔρχεται πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς, Καθεύδετε λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε)—This is likely ironic or rhetorical—'Are you still sleeping and resting?' The λοιπόν ('finally, at last, from now on') may indicate resigned acceptance of their weakness, or it may be ironic: 'Sleep on, then!' The opportunity to watch has passed. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners (ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ἡ ὥρα καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν)—The interjection ἰδού ('behold!') demands attention.
The perfect ἤγγικεν ('has drawn near, is at hand') shows the hour arrived—no more delay. The present παραδίδοται ('is being betrayed') may be futuristic present (immediately forthcoming) or describe Judas's approach even as Jesus spoke. The phrase εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν ('into hands of sinners') shows the sinless one delivered to sinful humanity—the supreme irony. The title 'Son of Man' (Daniel 7:13-14) emphasizes Jesus's messianic identity and human nature.