And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just tell them to pray generally against temptation; he specifically directs their prayer towards entering into it. This highlights that the danger isn't just succumbing, but the very act of walking into a place where they could be overcome, a subtlety we often miss when thinking about spiritual battles.
And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has brought his disciples to the Mount of Olives, a familiar place for prayer. As he prepares for his impending arrest and suffering, he urges his closest followers to pray for strength to resist temptation, acknowledging their own weakness even as he faces his own intense spiritual agony. This plea comes just before Jesus withdraws to pray himself, wrestling with the immense weight of what's to come.
Jesus enters a place of deep sorrow and turns to his disciples with an urgent command: 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation.' What does it mean to 'enter into' temptation, and why is Jesus so direct?
Jesus isn't just saying, 'Avoid sin.' He's leading his disciples (and us!) to a more profound understanding of spiritual warfare.
The 'Place'
Jesus arrives at a specific location – Gethsemane. The commentators note this place was known to him. It wasn't just any place; it was the place where he would face his greatest trial. The very aspect of this place, as Bengel points out, likely stirred deep emotions in Jesus. It was a place of coming confrontation.
The Plea
When Jesus says, 'Pray that you may not enter into temptation,' he's not asking them to pray for the absence of all future challenges. Instead, he's urging them to pray for the strength and discernment to navigate the trials that are coming, so they don't succumb to them. Poole suggests it's a prayer to be delivered from the hour of trial or, failing that, not to be overcome by it. It’s about resilience and faithfulness through the test, not necessarily avoiding the test altogether.
The Danger
'Entering into temptation' implies falling into its grip, being overcome, and yielding to its pull. It’s not just facing a difficult situation, but being swept away by it. Jesus knows the disciples' struggle is coming, and he wants them to be equipped to stand.
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Jesus immediately follows his command with a sobering observation about the disciples: 'The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' What does this tension reveal about our spiritual lives?
This phrase, 'The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,' is a profound insight into the human condition, even for Jesus' closest followers.
The Willingness
Jesus acknowledges the disciples' desire to follow him, to be faithful, and to stand with him. Calvin notes that Jesus gives them 'the praise of willingness' so they don't despair. Their hearts were in the right place; they wanted to do the right thing.
The Weakness
However, Jesus is also brutally honest about their limitations. The 'flesh' here represents their human frailty, their susceptibility to fear, weariness, and doubt. Despite their good intentions, they are prone to fail when pressure mounts. This isn't a condemnation, but a realistic assessment that underscores the necessity of divine help.
The Connection
This internal struggle is why Jesus links the command to pray with this observation. He’s not just pointing out their weakness; he’s providing the solution: prayer. Because the flesh is weak, we must pray. The solution to the flesh's weakness isn't self-reliance, but reliance on God through prayer. It’s a constant reminder that our spiritual victories aren't won by sheer willpower, but by leaning on God’s strength.
Understand the original words
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God, including requests, intercession, and alignment of one's heart with His will.
peirasmos · Greek Noun
A trial, test, or enticement that seeks to lure a person away from faith and obedience to God into sin.
Jesus' instruction to pray against temptation occurs in the immediate moments before his arrest and suffering. It highlights his own struggle and the disciples' need for divine strength as they faced the ultimate test.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Jesus withdraws to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to pray before his arrest. He asks his disciples to pray for strength against temptation.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest
Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus, leading to his arrest by the temple guards and Roman soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Trial Before the Sanhedrin
Jesus is tried by the Jewish high council (Sanhedrin), facing accusations of blasphemy.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Trial Before Pilate and Herod
Jesus is brought before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and King Herod Antipas for questioning and judgment.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha outside Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy and offering atonement for sins.
Jesus echoes this same instruction to his disciples, highlighting the ongoing struggle between a willing spirit and a weak flesh, a reality that continues for all followers of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:13This passage offers a promise connected to temptation, assuring us that God will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, and will provide a way out, underscoring the need for reliance on God through prayer.
Hebrews 4:15It shows Jesus, our High Priest, who was tempted in every way, yet without sin. This reminds us that our struggles with temptation are understood by Jesus, who can sympathize and offer help when we pray.
1 Peter 5:8This verse explicitly warns believers to be alert and sober, as the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour. It reinforces the urgency of Jesus' command to pray against temptation.
pooleLuke 22:40: "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
When he came to the mount of Olives, he first setteth his disciples to that work, which at this day was proper for them. Pray that ye enter not into temptation; that, if it be the will of God, you may be delivered from such an hour of trial as I am entering into; or, at least, that you may not be overcome by it. That my trials which you will presently be witnesses unto, and your own which you…
clarkeLuke 22:40: "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
When he was at the place - Viz. Gethsemane. On this agony of our Lord see the notes on Matthew 26:36-46 (note).
Jesus doesn't just tell them to pray generally against temptation; he specifically directs their prayer towards entering into it. This highlights that the danger isn't just succumbing, but the very act of walking into a place where they could be overcome, a subtlety we often miss when thinking about spiritual battles.
Jesus has brought his disciples to the Mount of Olives, a familiar place for prayer. As he prepares for his impending arrest and suffering, he urges his closest followers to pray for strength to resist temptation, acknowledging their own weakness even as he faces his own intense spiritual agony. This plea comes just before Jesus withdraws to pray himself, wrestling with the immense weight of what's to come.
Jesus has brought his disciples to the Mount of Olives, a familiar place for prayer. As he prepares for his impending arrest and suffering, he urges his closest followers to pray for strength to resist temptation, acknowledging their own weakness even as he faces his own intense spiritual agony. This plea comes just before Jesus withdraws to pray himself, wrestling with the immense weight of what's to come.
"And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”" — Jesus doesn't just tell them to pray generally against temptation; he specifically directs their prayer towards entering into it. This highlights that the danger isn't just succumbing, but the very…
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Last reviewed October 2026