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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 26:38 Then He said to them, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/40_Mat_26_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 26:38 - Jesus Prays at Gethsemane" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then He said to them, My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. 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Stay here and keep watch with me.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/26.htm">New Living Translation</a> He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” <a href="/esv/matthew/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then He says to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me." <a href="/kjv/matthew/26.htm">King James Bible</a> Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/26.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then He said to them, &#8220My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/amp/matthew/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/csb/matthew/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then He said to them, &#8220My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me. <a href="/cev/matthew/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and he said to them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me." <a href="/erv/matthew/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me. <a href="/gwt/matthew/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then he said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me." <a href="/gnt/matthew/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> and he said to them, "The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me." <a href="/isv/matthew/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he told them, "I'm so deeply grieved that I feel I'm about to die. Wait here and stay awake with me." <a href="/msb/matthew/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” <a href="/net/matthew/26.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me." <a href="/nheb/matthew/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me." <a href="/wbt/matthew/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then saith he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me." <a href="/web/matthew/26.htm">World English Bible</a> Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> then He says to them, “Exceedingly sorrowful is My soul—to death; abide here, and watch with Me.” <a href="/blb/matthew/26.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then He says to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch with Me." <a href="/ylt/matthew/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> then saith he to them, 'Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul -- unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.' <a href="/slt/matthew/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then says he to them, My soul is sorely grieved, even to death: remain here, and watch ye with me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/26.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He said to them, My soul is sorrowful even to death; wait for me here, and watch with me. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/26.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to them, “My soul has sorrow even to death; wait for me here and keep watch with me.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/26.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Jesus said to them: My soul is encompassed with sorrow even to death; remain here, and watch with me. <a href="/godbey/matthew/26.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then He says to them, <FR>My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: abide here, and pray with me.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/26.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then saith he to them. My soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death: abide here, and watch with me. <a href="/mace/matthew/26.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and he said to them, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:" stay here and watch by me. <a href="/wey/matthew/26.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me." <a href="/worrell/matthew/26.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Then saith He to them, <FR>"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! Abide ye here, and watch with Me."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/26.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and saith unto them, <FR>My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death, stay here and watch with me.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/26-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=8171" 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> …37He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38<a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.">Then</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 said</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychē (N-NFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">soul</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/4036.htm" title="4036: Perilypos (Adj-NFS) -- Very sorrowful, greatly grieved. From peri and lupe; grieved all around, i.e. Intensely sad.">consumed with sorrow</a> <a href="/greek/2193.htm" title="2193: heōs (Prep) -- A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.">to the point</a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanatou (N-GMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">of death.</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: meinate (V-AMA-2P) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">Stay</a> <a href="/greek/5602.htm" title="5602: hōde (Adv) -- From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.">here</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1127.htm" title="1127: grēgoreite (V-PMA-2P) -- (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.">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> 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.”…<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="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-4</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. <a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Psalm 42:5-6</a> Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. / O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon—even from Mount Mizar. <a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1-2</a> For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? / I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest. <a href="/luke/22-44.htm">Luke 22:44</a> And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. <a href="/john/12-27.htm">John 12:27</a> Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. <a href="/mark/14-34.htm">Mark 14:34</a> Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” <a href="/hebrews/5-7.htm">Hebrews 5:7-8</a> During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. / Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. <a href="/john/11-33.htm">John 11:33-35</a> When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept. <a href="/psalms/69-20.htm">Psalm 69:20</a> Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one. <a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-9</a> We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-8</a> but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. <a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10-11</a> Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. <a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-4</a> For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. / I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. <a href="/john/13-21.htm">John 13:21</a> After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a> For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me.My.<a href="/job/6-2.htm">Job 6:2-4</a> Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! … <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Psalm 88:1-7,14-16</a> A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: … <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Psalm 116:3</a> The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.tarry.<a href="/matthew/26-40.htm">Matthew 26:40</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="/matthew/25-13.htm">Matthew 25:13</a> Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.<a href="/1_peter/4-7.htm">1 Peter 4:7</a> But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/matthew/25-13.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/matthew/21-44.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/matthew/26-35.htm">Death</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Deeply</a> <a href="/matthew/26-22.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/matthew/26-22.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Grieved</a> <a href="/daniel/11-22.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Point</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/matthew/25-30.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/matthew/26-37.htm">Sorrowful</a> <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/matthew/25-13.htm">Watch</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/6-10.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/mark/14-34.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/matthew/26-40.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/mark/3-9.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Death</a> <a href="/mark/3-5.htm">Deeply</a> <a href="/mark/6-26.htm">Exceeding</a> <a href="/matthew/27-14.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/mark/3-5.htm">Grieved</a> <a href="/mark/7-37.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/matthew/26-56.htm">Point</a> <a href="/mark/3-5.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/mark/9-12.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/mark/6-26.htm">Sorrowful</a> <a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/mark/14-34.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/matthew/27-49.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/matthew/26-40.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> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/26.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>“My soul is consumed with sorrow&#8221 This phrase reveals the depth of Jesus' emotional state. The Greek word for "soul" is "psyche," which refers to the inner self or life force. It indicates that Jesus is experiencing profound anguish, not just physically but at the very core of His being. The word "consumed" suggests an overwhelming, all-encompassing sorrow. This sorrow is not just a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding grief. Historically, this moment in the Garden of Gethsemane is pivotal, as Jesus anticipates the suffering and separation from the Father that the crucifixion will entail. It underscores His humanity and the weight of the mission He is about to fulfill.“to the point of death&#8221 This expression emphasizes the intensity of Jesus' sorrow. The Greek phrase "heos thanatou" can be translated as "unto death," indicating that His distress is so severe it feels life-threatening. This is not hyperbole but a genuine expression of the agony He is experiencing. In the context of the Passion narrative, it foreshadows the physical and spiritual trials Jesus will endure. It also reflects the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which speaks of the suffering servant. This phrase invites believers to contemplate the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice and His willingness to endure such suffering for humanity's redemption.“Stay here and keep watch with Me.&#8221 Here, Jesus addresses His disciples, specifically Peter, James, and John, whom He has brought with Him to Gethsemane. The command to "stay here" and "keep watch" is both practical and spiritual. The Greek word for "keep watch" is "gregoreite," meaning to be vigilant or alert. This instruction is not just about physical presence but spiritual readiness. Jesus desires their companionship and support in His hour of need, highlighting the importance of community and prayer in times of trial. This moment also serves as a lesson for believers to remain spiritually vigilant, especially when facing temptation or adversity. The disciples' struggle to stay awake underscores human frailty and the need for divine strength.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) Then cometh Jesus . . .--In the interval between <a href="/context/matthew/26-35.htm" title="Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.">Matthew 26:35-36</a>, we have probably to place the discourses in John 15 (the reference to the vine, probably suggested by one which was putting forth its leaves in the early spring), John 16, and the great prayer of intercession in John 17. As St. John alone has recorded them, it is probable that he alone entered into their meaning, while others either did not hear them, or listened to them as above their reach, and asked their child-like questions (<a href="/context/john/16-18.htm" title="They said therefore, What is this that he said, A little while? we cannot tell what he said.">John 16:18-19</a>; <a href="/context/john/16-29.htm" title="His disciples said to him, See, now speak you plainly, and speak no proverb.">John 16:29-30</a>). St. Luke records what we may look on as the germ of the great intercession, in our Lord's words to Peter, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not" (<a href="/luke/22-32.htm" title="But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.">Luke 22:32</a>).A place called Gethsemane.--The word means "oil-press," and was obviously connected with the culture of the trees from which the Mount took its name. St. John's description implies that it was but a little way beyond the brook Kidron (<a href="/john/18-1.htm" title="When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.">John 18:1</a>), on the lower western slope of the mount. There was, a garden (or rather, orchard) there which was the wonted resort of our Lord and the disciples when they sought retirement. The olive-trees now growing in the place shown as Gethsemane, venerable as their age is, can hardly have been those that then grew there, as Josephus expressly records that Titus ordered all the trees in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem to be cut down, and the Tenth Legion was actually encamped on the Mount of Olives (Jos. Wars, v. 2, ? 3). They probably represent the devotion of pilgrims of the fourth or some later century, who replanted the hallowed site. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death (<a href="/jonah/4-9.htm">Jonah 4:9</a>). Christ speaks here of the mental agony which he is enduring; he bides not from the faithful three that which weighs upon his heart, so excessive a strain that human nature must fail to endure it. We cannot gauge the anguish; we may suggest some of the causes of this sorrow. It was not merely the thought of bodily pain, though that would be long and excessive; there were other elements which made his sorrow like to no other sorrow. He thought of all the circumstances that led to his Passion; all that would accompany it; all that would succeed it - the malice and perversity of the Jews, the grievous wickedness that brought about his death, the treachery of Judas, the desertion of his friends, the denial of Peter, his unjust condemnation at the hands of the rulers of the chosen nation, the pusillanimity of Pilate, the guilt of the actors in the tragedy, the wilful iniquity of those whom he came to redeem, the ruin which they brought on themselves, their city and nation - such considerations formed one ingredient in the bitter cup which he had to drain. And then the thought of death was unspeakably terrible to the all-holy Son of God. We men become accustomed to the thought of death. It accompanies us through all our life; it looms before us always. But man was created immortal (Wisd. 2:23), his nature shrinks from the dissolution of soul and body; and to the sinless, unfallen Man this experience was wholly unknown and awful. Here was the incarnate God, the God-Man, submitting himself to the punishment of sin, tasting death forevery man, bearing in his own Person the inexpressible bitterness of this penal humiliation. Added to all this was the incalculable fact that "the Lord had laid on him the iniquity of us all." The burden of the sins of all mankind he bore on his sacred shoulders. "Him who knew no sin God made to be sin on our behalf" (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>). What this mysterious imputation, so to speak, involved, we cannot tell; but to a being perfectly pure and holy it must have been anguish unspeakable. Tarry ye here. As ver. 36, "Sit ye here." And watch with me. In his dark hour his human soul yearned for the comfort of a friendly presence; even though these chosen three might not witness the extremity of his agony, their proximity and sympathy and prayers were a support. But he bade them watch for their own sake also. Their great trial was close at hand; they were about to be tempted to deny and forsake him; they could resist only by prayer and watchfulness (ver. 41). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/26-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then τότε (tote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5119.htm">Strong's 5119: </a> Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. He said 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. to them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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. “My μου (mou) 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. soul ψυχή (psychē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. consumed with sorrow Περίλυπός (Perilypos) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4036.htm">Strong's 4036: </a> Very sorrowful, greatly grieved. From peri and lupe; grieved all around, i.e. Intensely sad. to the point ἕως (heōs) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2193.htm">Strong's 2193: </a> A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. of death. θανάτου (thanatou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death. Stay μείνατε (meinate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. here ὧδε (hōde) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5602.htm">Strong's 5602: </a> From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. keep watch γρηγορεῖτε (grēgoreite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 26:38 Then he said to them My soul (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/26-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 26:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/26-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 26:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 26:39" /></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>