Gethsemane
A place in the Bible
A garden across the Kidron Valley, facing Jerusalem, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus often went there with his disciples.
What happened here
- The prayer: the night before he died, Jesus went to Gethsemane with his disciples. He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to feel distress.
- His prayer: Jesus fell to the ground and asked the Father to take this cup away from him, but not as he willed, but as the Father willed.
- An angel: an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him.
- The arrest: Judas knew the place. He came there with soldiers and guards, with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Today
At the foot of the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem, there is a garden of very old olive trees and the Basilica of the Agony, which by tradition marks the place.
Where it appears in the Bible
John 18:1-2; Luke 22:39; Mark 14:32-34; Mark 14:35-36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:43; John 18:2-3
What the Bible says
John 18:1-2
1When Jesus had said these things, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. 2And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place; because Jesus had often resorted thither together with his disciples.
Luke 22:39
And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him.
Mark 14:32-34
32And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And he saith to his disciples: Sit you here, while I pray. 33And he taketh Peter and James and John with him; and he began to fear and to be heavy. 34And he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here, and watch.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: John 18:1-3; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Gethsemani”; Custody of the Holy Land, “Gethsemane”