Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-56
After the supper, Jesus went to pray in Gethsemane. He felt a sorrow even to death, and he accepted that the Father’s will be done. Then Judas came with armed men, and they arrested Jesus. Matthew 26:36-56
The story, in plain words
Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He asked them to sit there while he went farther on to pray. Matthew 26:36
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, with him. He began to feel sorrow and distress. Matthew 26:37
He told them his soul was sorrowful even to death, and he asked them to stay and keep watch with him. Matthew 26:38
He went a little farther, fell face down, and prayed to his Father. Matthew 26:39 He asked that, if it were possible, he would not have to drink this cup,…
The rest of the story is part of the subscription.
See the mapWhat the Bible says
Matthew 26:36-56
36Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. 37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. 38Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. 39And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? 41Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. 42Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. 43And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. 44And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word. 45Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me. 47As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. 48And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast. 49And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him. 50And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him. 51And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? 54How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done? 55In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me. 56Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- Jesus asked the Father that his will be done, even though it was hard. When is it hard for you to accept something difficult?
- Jesus asked his friends to stay and pray with him, and they fell asleep. How can we stay close to someone who is suffering?
- For the child: when you are sad, who do you tell?
Who is in it?
Jesus, Peter, James, son of Zebedee, John the Apostle, Judas Iscariot.