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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 26:40 Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. "Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?" He asked Peter.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-40.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/40_Mat_26_40.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 26:40 - Jesus Prays at Gethsemane" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour? 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He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? <a href="/esv/matthew/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? <a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, "So, were you not able to watch with Me one hour? <a href="/kjv/matthew/26.htm">King James Bible</a> And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/26.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? <a href="/nasb/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, &#8220So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? <a href="/lsb/matthew/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? <a href="/amp/matthew/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? <a href="/csb/matthew/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, &#8220So, couldn&#8217t you stay awake with Me one hour? <a href="/asv/matthew/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? <a href="/cev/matthew/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, "Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? <a href="/erv/matthew/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? <a href="/gwt/matthew/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? <a href="/gnt/matthew/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, "How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour? <a href="/isv/matthew/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He told Peter, "So, you men couldn't stay awake with me for one hour, could you? <a href="/msb/matthew/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. ?Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?? He asked Peter. <a href="/net/matthew/26.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? <a href="/nheb/matthew/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, could you not watch with me for one hour? <a href="/wbt/matthew/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith to Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour! <a href="/web/matthew/26.htm">World English Bible</a> He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He comes to the disciples, and finds them sleeping, and He says to Peter, “So! You were not able to watch with Me one hour! <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, "So, were you not able to watch with Me one hour? <a href="/ylt/matthew/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, 'So! ye were not able one hour to watch with me! <a href="/slt/matthew/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he comes to his disciples, and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, So were ye not able to watch with me one hour?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able to keep vigil with me for one hour? <a href="/nabre/matthew/26.htm">New American Bible</a> When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he came to his disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, So, you were not able to watch with me even for one hour? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/26.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he came to his disciples and he found them as they slept and he said to Kaypha, “Could you not keep watch with me one hour?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/26.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter: Was it so, that you had not strength to watch with me one hour? <a href="/godbey/matthew/26.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He comes to the disciples, and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, <FR>Were you not able to watch with me one hour?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/26.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, Is it so, that ye have not strength to watch with me one hour? <a href="/mace/matthew/26.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then returning to the disciples, and finding them asleep, he said to Peter, what, could ye not watch by me one hour? <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour! <a href="/worrell/matthew/26.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He cometh to the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, <FR>"Were ye thus unable to watch with Me one hour?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/26.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And coming to the disciples, he findeth them asleep, and saith to Peter, <FR>what! could ye not watch with me one hour?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/26-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=8194" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm">Jesus Prays at Gethsemane</a> …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.” 40<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To come, go. ">Jesus returned</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3101.htm" title="3101: mathētas (N-AMP) -- A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.">disciples</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuriskei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">found</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/2518.htm" title="2518: katheudontas (V-PPA-AMP) -- To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.">sleeping.</a> <a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: Houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">“</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2480.htm" title="2480: ischysate (V-AIA-2P) -- To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.">Were you not able</a> <a href="/greek/1127.htm" title="1127: grēgorēsai (V-ANA) -- (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.">to keep watch</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: met’ (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: mian (Adj-AFS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">for one</a> <a href="/greek/5610.htm" title="5610: hōran (N-AFS) -- Apparently a primary word; an hour.">hour?” </a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">He asked</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4074.htm" title="4074: Petrō (N-DMS) -- Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.">Peter.</a> 41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/14-37.htm">Mark 14:37</a> Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour? <a href="/luke/22-45.htm">Luke 22:45-46</a> When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. / “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.” <a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">Matthew 24:42</a> Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a> So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. <a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11</a> And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. <a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a> Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. <a href="/colossians/4-2.htm">Colossians 4:2</a> Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a> Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. <a href="/revelation/3-2.htm">Revelation 3:2-3</a> Wake up and strengthen what remains, which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. / Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you. <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Proverbs 6:9-11</a> How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? / A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. <a href="/proverbs/24-33.htm">Proverbs 24:33-34</a> A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10</a> Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. <a href="/jonah/1-6.htm">Jonah 1:6</a> The captain approached him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call upon your God. Perhaps this God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” <a href="/psalms/121-3.htm">Psalm 121:3-4</a> He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. / Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. <a href="/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23</a> Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?and findeth.<a href="/matthew/26-43.htm">Matthew 26:43</a> And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.<a href="/matthew/25-5.htm">Matthew 25:5</a> While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.<a href="/songs/5-2.htm">Song of Solomon 5:2</a> I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.What.<a href="/matthew/26-35.htm">Matthew 26:35</a> Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.<a href="/judges/9-33.htm">Judges 9:33</a> And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.<a href="/1_samuel/26-15.htm">1 Samuel 26:15,16</a> And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/25-15.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/26-24.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/matthew/25-5.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/matthew/26-36.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/18-13.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/matthew/24-46.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Found</a> <a href="/matthew/26-34.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Single</a> <a href="/matthew/25-5.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Watch</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/26-53.htm">Able</a> <a href="/mark/13-17.htm">Alas</a> <a href="/matthew/26-43.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/matthew/26-53.htm">Couldn't</a> <a href="/matthew/26-45.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/26-43.htm">Findeth</a> <a href="/mark/4-5.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/matthew/26-43.htm">Found</a> <a href="/matthew/26-45.htm">Hour</a> <a href="/matthew/26-58.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/matthew/27-14.htm">Single</a> <a href="/matthew/26-43.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Watch</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 26</div>1. <a href="/matthew/26-1.htm">Jesus foretells his own death.</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">The rulers conspire against him.</a> 6. <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">The woman anoints his feet.</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/26-14.htm">Judas bargains to betray him.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/26-17.htm">Jesus eats the Passover;</a> 26. <a href="/matthew/26-26.htm">institutes his holy supper;</a> 30. <a href="/matthew/26-30.htm">foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/26-36.htm">prays in the garden;</a> 47. <a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">and being betrayed by a kiss,</a> 57. <a href="/matthew/26-57.htm">is carried to Caiaphas,</a> 69. <a href="/matthew/26-69.htm">and denied by Peter.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. In the context of the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had asked His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him as He faced the impending crucifixion. The garden, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a place Jesus often visited with His disciples. The disciples' inability to stay awake highlights human frailty and the struggle against spiritual lethargy. This moment underscores the contrast between Jesus' vigilance and the disciples' weakness, reflecting the broader theme of spiritual readiness found throughout Scripture (e.g., <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a>).“Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” Jesus' question emphasizes the importance of spiritual alertness and the need for prayer, especially in times of trial. The "one hour" signifies a relatively short period, suggesting that the disciples' failure was not due to an unreasonable demand. This moment foreshadows the coming trials and the need for perseverance in faith. The call to "keep watch" is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such as in <a href="/mark/13-33.htm">Mark 13:33-37</a>, where believers are urged to be vigilant for the Lord's return.He asked Peter. Peter, often seen as the leader among the disciples, is specifically addressed, highlighting his prominent role and the expectations placed upon him. This moment is significant in light of Peter's earlier declaration of unwavering loyalty to Jesus (<a href="/matthew/26-33.htm">Matthew 26:33-35</a>). It serves as a precursor to Peter's later denial of Christ, illustrating the tension between human intentions and actions. Peter's experience is a reminder of the need for humility and reliance on God's strength rather than one's own resolve.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, experiencing deep sorrow and distress as He prepares for His impending crucifixion. 2. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> One of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter is specifically addressed by Jesus in this verse, highlighting his failure to stay awake and pray. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The group of Jesus' followers who accompanied Him to the garden. They were asked to keep watch and pray but fell asleep instead. 4. <a href="/topical/g/garden_of_gethsemane.htm">Garden of Gethsemane</a> A place on the Mount of Olives where Jesus often went to pray. It is the setting for this event, symbolizing a place of trial and spiritual struggle. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_prayer_and_vigilance.htm">The Event of Prayer and Vigilance</a> This event underscores the importance of spiritual vigilance and prayer, especially in times of trial.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a> Just as Jesus asked His disciples to keep watch, we are called to be spiritually vigilant in our own lives, recognizing the constant presence of spiritual battles. <a href="/topical/t/the_weakness_of_the_flesh.htm">The Weakness of the Flesh</a> This passage highlights the human tendency to succumb to physical weakness, reminding us of the need for reliance on God's strength through prayer. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_prayer.htm">The Call to Prayer</a> Jesus' request for His disciples to pray underscores the necessity of prayer as a means of spiritual fortification and communion with God. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_failure.htm">Learning from Failure</a> Peter's failure to stay awake serves as a lesson in humility and the need for perseverance in our spiritual disciplines. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_spiritual_support.htm">The Role of Community in Spiritual Support</a> Jesus' desire for His disciples to watch with Him illustrates the importance of community and mutual support in times of spiritual trial.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 26</a> <a href="/q/what's_'live_by_the_sword,_die_by'.htm">What does 'live by the sword, die by the sword' mean?</a> <a href="/q/how_often_did_the_rooster_crow.htm">How many times did the rooster crow before Peter denied Jesus? (Matthew 26:34 vs. Mark 14:30)</a> <a href="/q/when_did_disciples_see_jesus_in_galilee.htm">When did the disciples return to Galilee? They saw Jesus there after at least 40 days, as they were instructed to stay in Jerusalem until receiving power (Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:3-4).</a> <a href="/q/why_do_some_christians_act_worse.htm">Why do many self-proclaimed Christians behave worse than atheists?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) He cometh unto the disciples.--Perhaps to both the groups--first of the three and then of the eight. All were alike sleeping--as St. Luke characteristically adds, "sleeping for sorrow."What, could ye not watch . . .?--Literally, Were ye thus unable to watch? St. Mark (<a href="/mark/14-37.htm" title="And he comes, and finds them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, sleep you? could not you watch one hour?">Mark 14:37</a>) individualises the words--"Simon, sleepest thou?" He had boasted of his readiness to do great things. He could not so much as rouse himself to watch for one hour. The last word may be fairly taken as partly measuring the time that had passed since their Master had left them. As the words are reported we must believe that the disciples were just so far roused as to hear them, and that they sank back powerless into slumber.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 40. - He cometh unto the disciples. He rose from prayer and returned to his three apostles, seeking their sympathy and the comfort of their presence in his lonely desolation. Findeth them asleep; sleeping. The comfort which his man's nature craved was denied him. St. Luke, the physician, says that the disciples were "sleeping for sorrow." Some great mental shock, some poignant distress, often produces a bodily stupor and sleep; but this is scarcely a valid excuse for such insensibility at this terrible crisis, especially as the Lord had urged them to watch (ver. 38). They had had a very trying day; Peter and John had undergone much bodily fatigue in preparing the last Supper; they were all weary, full of grief, and weighed down by foreboding; it was no wonder that they succumbed to these influences, though we might have expected that such as they would have risen superior to them. "The simple law, that extraordinary tension raises the highly developed spiritual life, while it stupefies the less developed, finds here its strongest illustration in the almost absolute contrast of spiritual watchfulness and sleep" (Lange). Saith unto Peter. Peter had been most forward in profession (vers. 33, 35); so Christ addresses him first. The other two, James and John, bad boldly asserted that they were able to drink of Christ's cup of suffering (<a href="/matthew/20-22.htm">Matthew 20:22</a>); so they are included in the tender reproach. What (οὕτως), could ye not watch with me? So, could ye not, etc.? Is it so that? Are ye unable to do even this little thing for me? Truly a pathetic reproof! One hour. It may be that this first stage of the agony had lasted for an hour, but the term is more probably indefinite; or it may refer to the whole time of trial. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/26-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [Jesus] returned ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. disciples μαθητὰς (mathētas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3101.htm">Strong's 3101: </a> A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. found εὑρίσκει (heuriskei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. them αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. sleeping. καθεύδοντας (katheudontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2518.htm">Strong's 2518: </a> To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep. “Were you not able ἰσχύσατε (ischysate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2480.htm">Strong's 2480: </a> To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force. to keep watch γρηγορῆσαι (grēgorēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1127.htm">Strong's 1127: </a> (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch. with μετ’ (met’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. Me ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [for] one μίαν (mian) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. hour?” ὥραν (hōran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5610.htm">Strong's 5610: </a> Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'. He asked λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Peter. Πέτρῳ (Petrō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4074.htm">Strong's 4074: </a> Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/26-40.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 26:40 He came to the disciples and found (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/26-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 26:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/26-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 26:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>