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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 26:42 - 26:46
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_26:42-46
42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." 43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!"
Mat_26:42 "if this cannot pass away unless I drink it" This is a combination of a first class conditional and a third class conditional sentence. It implies that Jesus knew it was God's will that He go to the cross, but He knew He could express His concern to the Father. It is good to know that God will not reject us because of our fears and confusion, but will work with us in love and faith as He worked with Jesus. We cannot even pray ourselves out of the will of God.
Mat_26:44 "prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more" Jesus prayed three times. This is similar to Paul's three prayers concerning this thorn in the flesh (2Co_12:8). There is something of the Hebrew idiom of emphasis in the three-fold repetition (cf. Isa_6:3; Jer_7:4). We can bring to God our concerns any time, as often as we feel the need.
Mat_26:45
NASB, NKJV,
TEV "Are you still sleeping and resting?"
NRSV "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?"
NJB "You can sleep on now and have your rest."
It is hard to interpret this Greek idiom. Is it a question? Is it irony? Is it a statement? Is it a command? Although the meaning is uncertain, it is obvious that Jesus has won the victory and He now stands erect, ready to face the night trials, the morning beatings and crucifixion.
▣ "the hour is at hand" "Hour" was a significant idiom used throughout the Gospels, particularly John (cf. Mat_12:23; Mat_13:1; Mat_13:32; Mat_17:1), to describe this moment (cf. Mar_14:35; Mar_14:41). See hyperlink at Mat_24:36.
▣ "is being betrayed into the hands of sinners" This is the fulfilled prophecy of Mat_16:21.