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Matthew 26:40
Verse
Context
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Sermons





Summary
Commentary
- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
Watch and pray,.... These two are very justly put together. There is, and ought to be, a watching before prayer, and "unto" it; a watching all opportunities, the most suitable and convenient to perform it; and there is a watching in it, both over our hearts, thoughts, words, and gestures, and after it, for a return of it, and answer to it: the reason of this exhortation follows, that ye enter not into temptation; not that they might not be tempted at all; for none of the saints have been, or are without temptations; and they are needful for them; and it is the will of God they should be attended with them; and he has made gracious provisions for their help and relief under them; but that they might not enter into them, throw themselves in the way of temptation, be surprised by them at an unawares, fall into them headlong, be immersed in them, fall by them, and be overcome with them, so as to forsake Christ, or to deny him: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak: meaning either that the evil spirit Satan was very desirous of having them in his hands; very forward and ready to make the onset upon them; was cheerful, alert, and confident of victory; and was strong, robust, and powerful; and they were but flesh and blood, very weak and infirm, and unequal to the enemy; which is a sense not to be despised, seeing it carries in it a very strong reason why they ought to watch and pray, lest they fall into the temptations of such a powerful adversary; see Eph 6:12, or else by "spirit" may be meant the soul, as renewed and regenerated by the spirit of God; particularly the principle of grace in it, which is born of the Spirit, and is called by the same name, and which lusts against the flesh, or corrupt nature: this was willing to watch and pray, and guard against falling into temptations; was willing to abide by Christ, and express its love to him every way; but "the flesh", or "body", so the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, is "weak" and infirm, prone to sleep, indulges ease, and unfit to bear trouble, but ready to sink under it, and is for fleeing from it: and so the words contain our Lord's excuse of his disciples in their present circumstances. Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads the words thus, and "indeed the spirit is watchful, but the flesh is weak". The Ethiopic version after this manner, "the spirit desires, and the body is fatigued". The Persic version, contrary both to the letter and sense of the words, renders them, "my spirit is firm, but my body is infirm".
Matthew 26:40
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
39Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Gethsemane
By Alan Redpath3.9K35:28GethsemaneISA 53:5ZEC 13:7MAT 26:40MRK 14:36LUK 22:44JHN 14:27ROM 3:23In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. He begins by emphasizing the love of Jesus, who willingly came down to earth to die on the cross. The preacher then turns to the scene in Gethsemane, where Jesus prays to God, asking for the cup of suffering to be taken away from him. Despite his anguish, Jesus submits to God's will, saying, "Not my will, but yours be done." The preacher encourages the listeners to imitate Jesus in their own trials and to cry out to God, trusting in His plan.
A House of Prayer
By Bill McLeod3.9K48:03PrayerGEN 32:26PSA 119:164MAT 26:40ACT 6:4ROM 12:211PE 3:9In this sermon, the preacher shares various anecdotes and experiences to emphasize the importance of committing our causes to God. He tells a story about a preacher from Argentina who came to Canada seeking revival but later blamed Democrats for his disappointment. The preacher then decides to teach a series on soul winning, but only two people show up for visitation, revealing their lack of genuine desire. This leads the preacher to conclude that what they truly need is a revival from God. He also highlights the story of Jacob wrestling with God and emphasizes the need to trust and seek God's blessings rather than seeking revenge or getting bitter. The sermon concludes with a mention of John the Baptist's prayerful life in the desert before God revealed his ministry to him.
Two Prayers of Jesus
By W.F. Anderson71158:01MAT 5:21MAT 6:33MAT 26:40MRK 1:35LUK 22:39ROM 5:5ROM 8:26In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the personal relationship between Jesus and his twelve disciples, particularly focusing on Peter, James, and John. The speaker highlights how Jesus chose to have a close bond with these three disciples, as seen in various instances such as the raising of Jairus' daughter and the transfiguration. The speaker also mentions how Jesus took these three disciples with him into the garden of Gethsemane. The sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine compassion for the needs of others, which is exemplified by Jesus' love for all his disciples.
The Leader and the Cost
By Peter Maiden61143:40LeadershipEXO 4:10EXO 5:1NUM 11:16MAT 6:33MAT 26:402CO 6:4GAL 1:6In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges and hardships faced by Christian leaders, using the examples of Moses and Paul. He emphasizes that occasional exhaustion and feelings of not being able to continue are not abnormal for leaders in the front line of the battle. The speaker also highlights the importance of obedience to God's calling, even when faced with doubts and objections. He references Moses' reluctance to obey God's command to confront Pharaoh and Paul's disappointment with the Galatians for deserting the true gospel. Overall, the sermon encourages Christian leaders to persevere through challenges and to prioritize obedience to God.
Gospel of John (2nd Yr Study 16 of 19, Chap 18 Start)
By G.W. North12952:00Christian LifeMAT 6:33MAT 26:40MAT 27:21LUK 22:44JHN 18:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a new heart that is aligned with God's will. He encourages the audience to read the New Testament and draw close to the heart of Jesus. The sermon then focuses on the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, specifically highlighting the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, representing the choice between the real God and false gods. The preacher also mentions the political dynamics between Caesar and the puppet king in Palestine. Finally, the sermon explores Jesus' struggle in accepting the cup of suffering that his Father gave him, emphasizing the significance of this act in God's plan to include humanity in his family.
Jesus' Need
By Herbert Henry Farmer0PSA 147:11MAT 26:40JHN 15:15JAS 4:8REV 3:20Herbert Henry Farmer emphasizes the danger of viewing God as a servant rather than as One to be served, highlighting the profound concept of God's infinite desire for our companionship. Through Jesus' question to Peter about watching with Him, Farmer reveals the depth of God's longing for human connection, showing that while we need Jesus, He also desperately needs us, a truth often overlooked in our allegiance to Him.
Deliberation Necessary to Largest Results From Prayer
By E.M. Bounds0The Power of PrayerSpiritual GrowthMAT 26:40LUK 6:12E.M. Bounds emphasizes the necessity of deliberate and extended prayer for spiritual vitality, arguing that hurried devotions lead to a weakened faith and superficial piety. He reflects on the experiences of biblical figures who engaged in prolonged prayer, illustrating that true communion with God requires time and calmness. Bounds warns against the dangers of short, rushed prayers, which can starve the soul and hinder spiritual growth. He calls for a return to dedicated private devotions, suggesting that more solitude and earlier hours can revive spiritual life. Ultimately, he asserts that the effectiveness of prayer is directly linked to the time and effort invested in it.
Vision - Acts 10:9-20
By Jon Courson0EXO 3:3PRO 29:18ISA 30:1ISA 42:6JER 32:6MAT 26:40ACT 10:10Jon Courson preaches on how God motivates individuals through visions when He wants to do something new or special. He uses examples like Moses being called through a burning bush and Paul being called through a vision of a man from Macedonia. In Acts 10, God prepares Peter's heart through a vision to bring salvation to the Gentiles, highlighting the importance of having vision in our lives, families, ministries, and country. The sermon emphasizes the three steps to receiving vision: preparation, illumination, and confirmation.
"Could You Not Watch One Hour?"
By J.R. Miller0Vigilance in PrayerCompassion for OthersMAT 26:40J.R. Miller reflects on the disappointment Jesus felt in Gethsemane when His closest disciples failed to stay awake and support Him during His time of agony. Despite His request for just one hour of their companionship and prayer, they succumbed to sleep, missing the opportunity to provide Him with the strength of their love. Miller emphasizes the significance of this moment, illustrating how the disciples' lack of vigilance not only saddened Jesus but also made His struggle more difficult. He draws a parallel to the story of the robin, which symbolizes the importance of compassion and support in times of suffering. Ultimately, Miller urges believers to remain vigilant and supportive of Jesus' cause and His people, ensuring they do not disappoint Him as the disciples did.
Much Time Should Be Given to Prayer
By E.M. Bounds0The Power of PrayerCommitment to GodMAT 26:40LUK 6:12E.M. Bounds emphasizes the necessity of dedicating significant time to prayer, illustrating that the greatest spiritual leaders throughout history have made prayer a priority in their lives. He cites examples of renowned figures like Bishop Andrews and John Wesley, who devoted hours daily to communion with God, demonstrating that deep and persistent prayer leads to a more profound relationship with the Lord. Bounds argues that short prayers are effective only when they are rooted in the long, earnest prayers that precede them, highlighting the importance of wrestling with God in prayer. He encourages believers to cultivate a habit of spending much time alone with God, as this is essential for spiritual growth and influence. Ultimately, Bounds calls for a commitment to prayer as a vital aspect of the Christian life.
Matthew 26:36
By Chuck Smith0PrayerSpiritual VigilanceMAT 26:40LUK 18:1ROM 2:1EPH 6:18PHP 4:6COL 4:21TH 5:17HEB 4:16JAS 5:161PE 5:8Chuck Smith emphasizes the critical moment in Christ's life when He needed His disciples the most, highlighting their failure to stay awake and support Him during His hour of crisis. He draws parallels between the disciples' negligence and the modern church's spiritual slumber, urging believers to recognize their own shortcomings in prayer and vigilance. Smith encourages persistence in prayer, suggesting that true engagement with God requires more than just a few minutes of effort, and that a deeper commitment could lead to revival.
Gethsemane
By Oswald Chambers0MAT 16:24MAT 26:36MAT 26:40MRK 8:34LUK 22:28JHN 6:66ACT 1:8HEB 13:13Oswald Chambers preaches about the profound agony Jesus faced in Gethsemane, where He grappled with the weight of sin as both God and Man, ultimately fulfilling His destiny as the Savior of the world through His sacrificial death on the cross. Chambers emphasizes the importance of watching with Jesus, aligning our perspective with His, and being willing to go through our own Gethsemane experiences in complete identification with Him. He challenges believers to not only be with Jesus in their own temptations but to also go with Him in His temptations, remaining loyal and steadfast in the face of trials and circumstances.
- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
Watch and pray,.... These two are very justly put together. There is, and ought to be, a watching before prayer, and "unto" it; a watching all opportunities, the most suitable and convenient to perform it; and there is a watching in it, both over our hearts, thoughts, words, and gestures, and after it, for a return of it, and answer to it: the reason of this exhortation follows, that ye enter not into temptation; not that they might not be tempted at all; for none of the saints have been, or are without temptations; and they are needful for them; and it is the will of God they should be attended with them; and he has made gracious provisions for their help and relief under them; but that they might not enter into them, throw themselves in the way of temptation, be surprised by them at an unawares, fall into them headlong, be immersed in them, fall by them, and be overcome with them, so as to forsake Christ, or to deny him: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak: meaning either that the evil spirit Satan was very desirous of having them in his hands; very forward and ready to make the onset upon them; was cheerful, alert, and confident of victory; and was strong, robust, and powerful; and they were but flesh and blood, very weak and infirm, and unequal to the enemy; which is a sense not to be despised, seeing it carries in it a very strong reason why they ought to watch and pray, lest they fall into the temptations of such a powerful adversary; see Eph 6:12, or else by "spirit" may be meant the soul, as renewed and regenerated by the spirit of God; particularly the principle of grace in it, which is born of the Spirit, and is called by the same name, and which lusts against the flesh, or corrupt nature: this was willing to watch and pray, and guard against falling into temptations; was willing to abide by Christ, and express its love to him every way; but "the flesh", or "body", so the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, is "weak" and infirm, prone to sleep, indulges ease, and unfit to bear trouble, but ready to sink under it, and is for fleeing from it: and so the words contain our Lord's excuse of his disciples in their present circumstances. Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads the words thus, and "indeed the spirit is watchful, but the flesh is weak". The Ethiopic version after this manner, "the spirit desires, and the body is fatigued". The Persic version, contrary both to the letter and sense of the words, renders them, "my spirit is firm, but my body is infirm".