Mark 14:40

“And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.”

In this verse, Jesus has gone away to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly before His arrest and crucifixion. He had asked His disciples, specifically Peter, James, and John, to keep watch while He prayed. However, upon returning from prayer, Jesus found them asleep for the second time.

The phrase “for their eyes were heavy” indicates that the disciples were overcome with sleepiness. They had likely been physically exhausted, as it was late at night, and they may not have fully understood the gravity of the situation.

Jesus had warned them about the imminent events and the need for prayer, but they struggled to remain awake and alert.

The phrase “neither wist they what to answer him” suggests that the disciples were embarrassed and did not know how to respond to Jesus’ discovery of them sleeping. They were caught off guard and likely felt guilty for failing to fulfill the task Jesus had entrusted to them.

This passage serves as a reminder of the disciples’ human weaknesses and their struggle to stay vigilant during a critical moment. It highlights their limitations and the contrast between Jesus, who remained fully committed to God’s will and in fervent prayer, and the disciples, who faltered in their commitment.

Additionally, this verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of the disciples’ inability to fully comprehend and support Jesus in His hour of greatest need. While they were physically present, they struggled to grasp the significance of the events unfolding before them.