Matthew 26:41

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:41

The recognition of good intentions. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Our Lord dealt very tenderly with these disciples. No reproachful word passed his lips. He was considerate of the influence which bodily frailty can exert upon the will; and did not immediately take up the idea that the will had swerved. "The priests on duty in the temple were expected to keep awake all night, and were severely punished if the temple captain found them asleep. Peter and James and John... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 26:36-45

Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane - This account is also recorded in Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.Matthew 26:36Then cometh ... - After the institution of the Lord’s Supper, in the early part of the night, he went out to the Mount of Olives.In his journey he passed over the brook Cedron John 18:1, which bounded Jerusalem on the east.Unto a place - John calls this “a garden.” This garden was on the western side of the Mount of Olives, and a short distance from Jerusalem. The word used by John... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 26:36-46

150. Jesus prays in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1)It must have been getting towards midnight by the time Jesus and his disciples reached the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, taking Peter, James and John with him, Jesus moved to a spot where they could be alone. He was filled with anguish and horror as he saw clearly what his death would mean. The three friends could do little to lessen his anguish except stay awake in sympathy with him. He had to battle... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 26:41

that = to the end that. spirit. Greek. pneuma. App-101 . willing = ready. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.Always solicitious for the welfare of his disciples, Christ attributed their failure to watch with him to weakness of the flesh but repeated the admonition. Nor is it proper to limit the words regarding the weakness of the flesh to its application to the apostles. In a sense, even his flesh was weak. He had been in an agony of temptation and had felt the awful conflict in his soul. How much... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 26:40-41

Matthew 26:40-41. And he cometh, &c.— It was now very late in the evening; for after supper Christ had made his disciples a long discourse, from John, John 14-17. and besides they were oppressed and stupified with sorrow. See Luke 22:45. Our Lord speaks to Peter in particular, who was so forward to boast that he would follow his Master even unto death. Every one is apt to flatter himself, when he is out of danger, that he can easily withstand temptations; but without a particular care and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 26:1-46

1. Preparations for Jesus’ crucifixion 26:1-46There were several events that led up to Jesus’ arrest. Matthew did not present them in strict chronological order but in a logical narrative order. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus’ prayer to His Father in Gethsemane 26:36-46 (cf. Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46)This pericope illustrates the importance of facing temptation with vigilance and prayer. What is more important, it reveals Jesus’ attitude toward what He was about to do. Until now, Jesus seems to have been anticipating His death with calm control and great courage. Here He appears under deep emotional stress. These attitudes harmonize with His being both the Son of God and the Servant who came to give His... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 26:40-41

Jesus returned to the inner circle of disciples only to find them sleeping. He wakened them and addressed His question to Peter as the disciples’ representative. His question contained a plural "you" in the Greek text. One hour may be a round number, but it is undoubtedly approximate. Jesus urged them to remain spiritually alert (cf. Matthew 24:32-44) and to continue praying for strength to withstand the temptation that He had told them was coming (Matthew 26:31-35). Even though Jesus had told... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:1-75

The Betrayal. The Last Supper. Arrest of Jesus, and Trial Before the High Priest1-5. A Council is held against Jesus (Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1: cp. John 13:1).2. After two days] This fixes the date as Tuesday, if the Passover was on Thursday night; or Wednesday, if, as is more probable, it was on Friday night. Is betrayed] This clear prediction is peculiar to St. Matthew.3. And the scribes] RV omits. The palace] RV ’the court,’ i.e. the central quadrangle, the house being built round a square plot... read more

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