The Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus prays in agony in the garden while His disciples sleep. He surrenders to the Father's will, and Judas arrives with soldiers to arrest Him.
Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:39-46
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The Story
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked Peter. 'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'
He went away a second time and prayed, 'My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.'
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. The betrayer had arranged a signal: 'The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.'
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him.
'Do what you came for, friend,' Jesus replied.
Then the men seized Jesus and arrested him.
Jesus Prays in the Garden
Kids Version
After dinner, Jesus and His disciples went to a garden called Gethsemane. It was nighttime. Jesus felt very, very sad.
'Stay here,' Jesus told most of the disciples. He took Peter, James, and John a little farther.
'My heart is breaking,' Jesus told them. 'Please stay awake and pray with Me.'
Jesus walked ahead and fell on His face to pray. He knew what was coming—He was going to die a terrible death on a cross.
'Father,' Jesus prayed, 'if there's any other way, please take this away from Me. But... not what I want. What YOU want.'
Jesus was so stressed that His sweat fell like drops of blood. An angel came from heaven to give Him strength.
Jesus went back to check on His friends. They were ASLEEP!
'Couldn't you stay awake just ONE hour?' Jesus asked Peter sadly.
Jesus prayed two more times. Each time, He found His friends sleeping. They were so tired and sad.
Finally, Jesus said, 'Get up. The one who's betraying Me is here.'
Just then, Judas walked up—with a crowd of soldiers carrying swords and torches!
Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek. That was the signal he'd arranged to show the soldiers which man was Jesus.
'Friend,' Jesus said sadly, 'do what you came to do.'
The soldiers grabbed Jesus and arrested Him.
Even though Jesus was scared, He trusted His Father. He chose to obey, even when it was the hardest thing ever.
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Scripture — Matthew 26:36-56 (KJV)
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39And 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.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Memory Verse
“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)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Garden of Gethsemane” in the Bible?
Jesus prays in agony in the garden while His disciples sleep. He surrenders to the Father's will, and Judas arrives with soldiers to arrest Him. This story is found in Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:39-46.
Where is “The Garden of Gethsemane” found in the Bible?
“The Garden of Gethsemane” is found in Matthew 26:36-56, Luke 22:39-46, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Garden of Gethsemane”?
This story teaches children about Prayer, Submission to God, Betrayal, Human struggle. Jesus knew He was about to die, and He was very sad. He prayed in a garden while His friends fell asleep. Then Judas came with soldiers to arrest Him.