What Is Gethsemane — Meaning Explained
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)
What "What Is Gethsemane?" Actually Means
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.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Matthew 26:36
"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 26:39
"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."
Luke 22:44
"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."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Are Heaven and Hell Real Places?
Heaven & Afterlife
Are Heaven and Hell Real Places According to the Bible?
Heaven & Afterlife
What Is the Significance of the Mount of Olives?
Places & Geography
Genesis 46:3 Commentary
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
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.