King James Version

What Does Luke 22:45 Mean?

Luke 22:45 in the King James Version says “And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,” — study this verse from Luke chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,”

Luke 22:45 · KJV

Prayer

Context

43

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

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.

45

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

46

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

47

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

Read Luke 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When he rose up from prayer—After His agonizing intercession (v. 44), Jesus returned to find His disciples sleeping for sorrow (κοιμωμένους ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης, koimōmenous apo tēs lypēs). Only Luke attributes their sleep to sorrow (λύπη, lypē—deep grief, emotional heaviness). They weren't indifferent but overwhelmed; grief had emotionally and physically exhausted them. Yet sorrow was no excuse for prayerlessness.

The contrast is devastating: Jesus prayed to the point of sweating blood (v. 44), while they slept in self-protective numbness. Their 'sorrow' was about their fear of losing Jesus, their dawning awareness that everything was unraveling. But their grief-induced sleep left them unprepared for the testing ahead. Within minutes, Judas would arrive (v. 47); within hours, they would all flee (Matthew 26:56); by morning, Peter would curse and deny his Lord (22:54-62). Sorrow should drive us to prayer, not away from it. The disciples' failure here became a spiritual catastrophe from which only Christ's resurrection could recover them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Passover meal was eaten late in the evening, and Jesus and the disciples walked to Gethsemane afterward, arriving well past midnight. The emotional intensity of the Last Supper discourse (Luke 22:14-38, John 13-17), combined with the late hour and physical exhaustion, created vulnerability to sleep. Yet Jesus had explicitly warned them to 'pray that ye enter not into temptation' (v. 40). The 'sorrow' they felt likely stemmed from Jesus' predictions of His death (22:15-16), His announcement of betrayal (22:21-22), and His warnings about their coming denials and scattering (22:31-34).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does emotional exhaustion or 'sorrow' sometimes become an excuse to neglect prayer when you need it most?
  2. What spiritual battles have you lost because you sought escape in 'sleep' (literal or metaphorical) instead of prayer?
  3. How does Jesus' response to His sorrow (prayer) contrast with the disciples' response (sleep), and which pattern characterizes your crisis reactions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
καὶ1 of 15

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναστὰς2 of 15

“when he rose up”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἀπὸ3 of 15

“for”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς4 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προσευχῆς5 of 15

“prayer”

G4335

prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)

ἐλθὼν6 of 15

“and was come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς7 of 15

“to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τοὺς8 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητὰς9 of 15

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

εὗρεν10 of 15

“he found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοὺς11 of 15

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

κοιμωμένους12 of 15

“sleeping”

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

ἀπὸ13 of 15

“for”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς14 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λύπης15 of 15

“sorrow”

G3077

sadness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 22:45 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 22:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 14:40-41Matthew 26:43Matthew 26:40Mark 14:37

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