Matthew 26:37

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

Matthew 26:37 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 26:37 takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane immediately after the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and predicted His betrayal. He went there with His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John, to pray. This verse is part of the Passion narrative, leading directly to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, and it sets the stage for His prayer of submission in verse 39.

Meaning

The verse describes Jesus as becoming sorrowful and very heavy. This indicates a deep, overwhelming grief and distress, not a mere surface sadness. Jesus, being fully human, experienced the full weight of what lay before Him—His imminent arrest, trials, crucifixion, and the bearing of sin. This reveals His genuine human emotions and the emotional turmoil He faced as He willingly embraced God’s plan for the redemption of mankind.

Jesus took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. These three disciples formed an inner circle and had been present at significant moments in Jesus’ ministry, such as the raising of Jairus’s daughter and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1). Here, Jesus desired their companionship and support during His time of prayer and distress. However, even with His closest disciples, Jesus still faced the burden of His mission alone, as they could not fully comprehend or share in His suffering.

Biblical connections

Jesus’ emotional state reflects the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the suffering servant found in the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:3 describes the Messiah as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” By experiencing intense sorrow and heaviness, Jesus was fulfilling these prophetic words, affirming His identity as the promised Messiah.

Jesus’ emotional struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane showcases His submission to the Father’s will. In the following verse, Jesus prays, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39, KJV). Despite His distress, Jesus willingly surrenders Himself to God’s plan, showing His unwavering obedience and love for humanity.

Application

• Jesus’ humanity and empathy: Matthew 26:37 reminds us that Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions. He can relate to our sorrows and distress, understanding the challenges and burdens we face. We can find solace in knowing that Jesus empathizes with our struggles and offers His comfort and strength.

• The importance of community and support: Just as Jesus sought the presence of His disciples during His time of distress, we, too, need the support of fellow believers. We should be willing to share our burdens, seek companionship, and provide support to one another during difficult seasons.

• Submission to God’s will: Jesus’ example teaches us the importance of surrendering our own desires to God’s will. Even when faced with great hardship, we can trust that God’s plans are perfect and seek His guidance and strength to carry us through.

Reflection

Overall, Matthew 26:37 highlights the human emotions Jesus experienced in anticipation of His crucifixion, emphasizing His submission to God’s will and the significance of community and support during challenging times.