King James Version

What Does Luke 22:46 Mean?

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. — study this verse from Luke chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 22:46 · King James Version

Prayer

Context

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.

48

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Read Luke 22 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation—Jesus repeats His earlier command (v. 40) with increased urgency. The question Why sleep ye? (Τί καθεύδετε, Ti katheudete) expresses both disappointment and warning. The command to rise (ἀναστάντες, anastantes—'having stood up') requires action; prayer demands alert engagement, not passive drowsiness. Lest ye enter into temptation warns that prayerlessness guarantees spiritual defeat.

This was their final warning before Judas arrived (v. 47). The 'temptation' (πειρασμός, peirasmos) was imminent: they would be tempted to abandon Jesus, deny Him, preserve their own lives at the cost of their witness. Jesus had prayed and received strength (v. 43); they had slept and would soon scatter in weakness. The correlation between prayerlessness and collapse is absolute. Peter, who slept instead of praying, would deny Christ three times within hours. Those who neglect prayer in the garden will fail in the trial. Jesus models watchful prayer; the disciples model prayerless defeat.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This is the third time Jesus found them sleeping (Matthew 26:40, 43, 45). Their repeated failure despite direct commands demonstrates the power of physical and emotional weakness to override even the Master's instruction. The disciples' sleep parallels Israel's spiritual slumber throughout Scripture—eyes heavy, ears dull, hearts hardened (Isaiah 6:9-10, 29:10). Within moments of this final warning, 'a multitude' led by Judas would arrive with swords and clubs (v. 47). The disciples had literally minutes left to prepare spiritually, but they wasted them in sleep.

Reflection Questions

  1. What repeated wake-up calls has Jesus given you that you continue to ignore through spiritual drowsiness?
  2. How does this passage expose the direct link between prayerlessness and failure in spiritual testing?
  3. If Jesus were to ask you right now, 'Why sleep ye?'—what areas of neglected prayer would He be addressing?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
καὶ
1 of 12

“And”

G2532
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶπεν
2 of 12

“said”

G2036
to speak or say (by word or writing)
αὐτοῖς
3 of 12

“unto them”

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
Τί
4 of 12

“Why”

G5101
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καθεύδετε
5 of 12

“sleep ye”

G2518
to lie down to rest, i.e., (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
ἀναστάντες
6 of 12

“rise”

G450
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
προσεύχεσθε
7 of 12

“and pray”

G4336
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
ἵνα
8 of 12
G2443
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
μὴ
9 of 12
G3361
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἰσέλθητε
10 of 12

“ye enter”

G1525
to enter (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
11 of 12

“into”

G1519
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πειρασμόν
12 of 12

“temptation”

G3986
a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity

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 22:46 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 22:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 22:40Jonah 1:6Luke 21:34-36Proverbs 6:4-11

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