37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:37–38 (ESV)
33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” (Mark 14:33–34 (ESV)
At this moment in time, Judas Iscariot had left the Upper Room and was leading Jesus’ enemies to Gethsemane to arrest Him (John 18:1-3). Upon entering the garden, Jesus separated Himself from eight of His disciples and took Peter, James and John with Him alone. These three men formed Jesus’ intimate or inner circle (See Matthew 17).
“Christ separates Himself from most of His disciples, going off to pray with the three men who are closest to him — Peter, James, and John (Matt. 26:37; see 10:2; 17:1). Our Lord is about to enter His most difficult trial and, like all people, desires the support of good friends in His ordeal,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
It was then Jesus began to be sorrowful and troubled. The word sorrowful (λυπέω; lypeo) means to be grieved and distressed. It is a deep and great sadness. To be troubled (ἀδημονέω; ademoneo) refers to personal anguish. Due to the circumstances happening to Him, and would soon occur, Jesus was actively in anguish.
Jesus expressed this sorrow to the three disciples with Him. He said, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” To be very sorrowful (περίλυπος; perilypos) refers to deep grief.
“All the waves and the billows of distress came pouring over his soul. Cf. Ps. 42:7b. Why this terror and dismay? Was it because he knew that even now Judas was approaching—or preparing to approach—in order to deliver him to his enemies? Was it because he was painfully aware that Peter would deny him that the Sanhedrin would condemn him, Pilate sentence him, his enemies ridicule him, and the soldiers crucify him? No doubt all that was included,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
However, as the story develops we notice that it was especially this one thought, namely, that he, a most tender and sensitive soul, is more and more being driven into isolation. Many of the people have already left him (John 6:66). His disciples are going to forsake him (Matt. 26:56). Worst of all, on the cross he will be crying out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (27:46). Did he, perhaps, here in Gethsemane see this tidal wave of God’s wrath because of our sin coming? (Cf. Isa. 63:3).”
“Jesus, of course, is the incarnate, second person of the Trinity. Still, He is also truly human and His humanness is shown through His prayer in Gethsemane. Knowing what is ahead, our Savior begins to experience an anguish so profound that it feels like it might kill Him (Matt. 26:38). This tells us that to feel sorrow is not necessarily wrong, for Jesus grieves and is yet without sin (1 Peter 2:22). His grief, in fact, helps prove the fact that God became incarnate,” states Dr. Sproul.
John Calvin writes, “Those who imagine that the Son of God was exempt from human passions do not truly and sincerely acknowledge him to be a man.”
Soli deo Gloria!
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