Luke 22:39-53

Jesus and his disciple left the upper room (vv. 7-13) and went to the place Jesus spent his evenings that week (21:37). The other Gospels give us more details and tell us that Jesus went to a specific place called Gethsemane (Matt 26:36).

Jesus often instructed his disciples to pray about temptation. He never promised temptation would not come. Instead, he taught them to pray for divine help to overcome temptation and not fall into sin (vv. 31-32; 11:4; 21:36). Jesus exemplified his own instructions (vv. 41-44).

The custom for Jews in that day would have been to pray standing. Eventually, Jesus went from kneeling to lying face down on the ground (Matt. 26:38-39). Jesus' posture in prayer showed the weight of his burden.

cup. An Old Testament picture of divine wrath (Is. 51:17) and, more prominently, God's wrath (Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15). The agony of his experience is beyond our comprehension because we are sinful people and he was not. As the holy, divine Son of God, he understood better the horror and shame of sin. Thus, Jesus was not merely afraid of death. He recoiled at the thought of being the sin-bearer (see note on v. 37; Heb. 12:2). On the cross, he would satisfy God's wrath against sin (see note on Rom. 3:25). not my will. Jesus was not opposed to God's will. He would not consider the cup's removal unless the Father willed in. And because it was the will of the Father for him, he did drink fully the cup of wrath (John 18:11). See HC 124.

God did not send his messenger to remove the temptation (see note on v. 40). He was sent to strengthen Jesus to endure temptation and fulfill his Father's will (v. 42; see Dan. 10:18-19). angel. See note on 1:11.

agony. From Jesus' agonizing experience in prayer, he saw the fruition of God's plan (Isa. 53:11) and learned obedience as a Son (Heb. 5:8-9). prayed. God strengthened Jesus to pray more intently (v. 43). This allowed him to overcome his temptation to withdraw from God's plan. His reverent prayers were heard and answered by God (Heb. 5:7). Jesus would accomplish salvation and be raised back to life (Ps. 16:7-10; Isa. 53:12). sweat . . . blood. This might mean that Jesus was under so much stress he experienced a medical condition where capillaries burst in the sweat glands.

The disciples' sorrow (see John 16:6) led them to sleep instead of prayer (vv. 40, 46).

Jesus repeated his earlier instruction to pray watchfully against temptation (v. 40; see 18:1). This is an enduring command for all believers in every age.

crowd. What Luke called a crowd, the other Gospels fill out in more detail. The temple guards had swords and clubs as well as a large number of soldiers with them (Mark 14:43). They have weapons as well as lanterns and torches (John 18:3). The crowd probably numbered over a hundred people. kiss. Normally a sign of affectionate greeting (1 Thess. 5:25). Tragically, Judas used it as a sign of betrayal (v. 48; Mark 14:44).

Jesus stopped Judas just as he was preparing to kiss him (v. 47). Though he had every right to be enraged by his betrayal, Jesus showed him mercy. One last time, he gave him an opportunity to repent.

The disciples misunderstood Jesus' previous teaching about the need for swords (see note on v. 38).

one. This was Peter (John 18:10). After Jesus predicted he would deny him, he probably wanted to prove his faithfulness (see notes on vv. 31-34). servant. Elsewhere we are told his name is Malchus (John 18:10).

Jesus ended the physical defense on his behalf to prevent any more violence against his aggressors. Even today, Jesus' disciples don't win over sinners to Christ's kingdom by the threat of the sword. Instead, they point them to Christ's love, demonstrated by this sacrifice on the cross (see 2 Cor. 5:1-21).

Jesus had a public ministry. He could have been arrested at any time. Although the Jewish leaders treated Jesus like a criminal, they were acting like criminals. Nevertheless, it was the appointed time for Jesus to be seized by his opponents to fulfill God's plans. chief priests. See note on 19:47. captains. See note on 22:4. elders. See note on 7:3. darkness. Not literal, but spiritual darkness (see John 1:4-5; Acts 26:18).