What Is Gethsemane?
What Is Gethsemane? Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
Key verse: Matthew 26:36 (KJV)
Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed in agony the night before His crucifixion and was betrayed by Judas.
"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder." — Matthew 26:36 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Gethsemane, meaning 'oil press,' was an olive grove on the slope of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus took Peter, James, and John there to pray. Overwhelmed with sorrow, He fell on His face and cried out, 'O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.' An angel strengthened Him, and His sweat became 'as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.' Meanwhile the disciples slept. Then Judas arrived with a mob, identified Jesus with a kiss, and the arrest began. Gethsemane reveals both the genuine humanity of Christ — His dread of the cross — and His perfect obedience — His submission to the Father's will. It is the place where the Lamb prepared Himself for the slaughter.
Key Scripture References
"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is the Significance of the Mount of Olives?
The Mount of Olives is a ridge east of Jerusalem deeply tied to Jesus' final week, His ascension, and His promised return.
Who Was Judas Iscariot?
Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling prophecy and becoming history's most infamous traitor.
What Is Bethlehem?
Bethlehem is the small Judean town where Jesus Christ was born, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's city.
What Is Nazareth?
Nazareth was the Galilean village where Jesus grew up — so obscure that Nathanael once asked, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?''
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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In-depth study • God in Unexpected Places
Habakkuk 3:19 Commentary
In-depth study • Hinds' Feet on High Places
The Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36–56; Mark 14:32–50; Luke 22:39–53 • surrender
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The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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