Luke 22:39
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
Luke 22:39 (KJV)
Context
Luke 22:39 is part of the account of Jesus’ final hours before His crucifixion. In the preceding verses, Jesus celebrates the Last Supper with His disciples and institutes the Lord’s Supper. He also predicts Peter’s denial and foretells His own betrayal by Judas Iscariot. Now He leaves the upper room and the city of Jerusalem, going out to begin His sorrows and sufferings, which will culminate in His crucifixion.
Meaning
The verse emphasizes that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives “as he was wont,” meaning as was His custom. This was not an impulsive or accidental journey; it was His established practice. Luke 21:37 confirms that during this period Jesus taught in the temple by day and lodged on the Mount of Olives at night. The Mount of Olives lay east of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, about a mile away, and was a place Jesus frequented for prayer and solitude. This regularity highlights His consistent devotion and the deliberate nature of His final steps toward the cross.
His disciples also followed Him, showing their continued companionship, though they would soon fail to stay awake in prayer. Upon reaching the place—identified by the surrounding context as Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives—Jesus instructs them to pray that they not enter into temptation (Luke 22:40). He then withdraws about a stone’s throw and kneels to pray in agony, submitting to the Father’s will (Luke 22:41-42). This verse thus sets the stage for the Garden of Gethsemane prayer, a model of submission and dependence on God.
Application
Importance of Prayer: Jesus’ example highlights the importance of prayer, especially during times of great trial or decision-making. Just as Jesus sought communion with the Father through prayer, we should also cultivate a habit of spending time with God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength.
Submission to God’s Will: Jesus’ prayer demonstrates His submission to God’s will. Despite His personal desires, Jesus surrenders Himself to the Father’s plan for the redemption of humanity. This serves as a reminder for us to align our will with God’s and trust His purposes, even when faced with difficult circumstances.
Support of Christian Community: The disciples’ presence with Jesus during this challenging period reminds us of the importance of community and supporting one another in times of need. We should strive to be present for our brothers and sisters in Christ, offering comfort, encouragement, and prayerful support.
Reflection
Jesus’ habitual prayerfulness invites us to observe His example and to follow Him in seeking the Father, especially in times of trial. His deliberate journey to the Mount of Olives, “as he was wont,” shows that communion with God was not an occasional practice but a steady rhythm of His life. As we face our own challenges, we can learn from His dependence on the Father and His willingness to submit to God’s will, trusting that the same strength is available to us through prayer.
