And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus brought his three closest friends to witness his distress, not to lighten his burden, but to show them the depth of his human suffering and to underscore the gravity of the "cup" he was about to drink. The words used to describe his sorrow—"sorrowful" and "very heavy"—convey an overwhelming anguish so intense it threatened to crush him. This wasn't a mild sadness, but a profound, soul-deep agony, revealing the immense weight of the world's sin he was taking upon himself.
And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just shared the Last Supper with his disciples and predicted their betrayal and denial. Now, he takes his closest three friends, Peter, James, and John, into the garden of Gethsemane, a place of intense sorrow and apprehension for what is about to happen. This is the beginning of his agony, as he prepares to face the crushing weight of sin and God's wrath for humanity.
Jesus, facing the ultimate sacrifice, experienced profound sorrow and distress. But why? What was happening within Him?
Matthew 26:37 describes Jesus beginning to feel 'sorrowful and troubled.' The Greek words here, lypeisthai (to be sorrowful) and adamonein (to be deeply distressed or agitated), paint a picture of exquisite, soul-crushing grief. This wasn't just a mild sadness; it was an overwhelming anguish that threatened to consume Him.
The Weight of Sin
This intense emotional turmoil wasn't simply due to the physical pain of crucifixion, though that was certainly part of it. As commentators note, Jesus was keenly aware of the immense weight of the sins of all humanity that He was about to bear. He saw, with perfect clarity, the infinite evil of sin and the justice of God demanding its punishment. This was the unique burden He carried – the inexpressible sorrow of being made sin for us.
A Human Experience
Jesus didn't face this moment alone. He chose specific friends to be near. What does this tell us about His need for companionship and the purpose behind His choice?
Jesus specifically took Peter, James, and John with Him into the garden. These were the same three disciples who had witnessed His transfiguration and His power in raising Jairus' daughter. They were His closest companions.
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Even as the Son of God, Jesus acknowledged His human need for the presence and sympathy of His friends. As Bengel noted, 'In great temptations, solitude is helpful, but still, let friends be near.' Their presence offered a measure of comfort, even as Jesus entered into His profound agony.
Preparing Witnesses
Clarke suggests another purpose: to help these disciples contemplate Jesus' present humiliation in light of the glory they had seen. Their witnessing His vulnerability and deep sorrow was meant to prepare them, so they wouldn't be stumbled by His suffering and apparent defeat.
Understand the original words
lypeō · Greek Verb/Adjective (Participle)
Deep emotional or physical pain, grief, or distress, often associated with the anticipation of suffering or loss.
adēmoneō · Greek Verb
A state of being overwhelmed with agitation, distress, or anxiety, often used to describe a mind disturbed by heavy circumstances.
Jesus chose his closest companions, Peter, James, and John, to witness his intense emotional struggle in Gethsemane. This mirrors moments like the Transfiguration, underscoring the weight of his human experience as he faced the immense spiritual burden of atonement, a burden unique to his mission.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Gathering Disciples
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering a core group of twelve disciples, including Peter, James, and John.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, hailed by crowds as a king, fulfilling prophecy but also setting the stage for his upcoming suffering.
The Night Before the Crucifixion (c. AD 30)
The Last Supper
Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper and giving final teachings and warnings, including Peter's confident but ultimately flawed promises.
The Night Before the Crucifixion (c. AD 30)— this verse
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Jesus withdraws with Peter, James, and John to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he begins to experience profound sorrow and anguish as he contemplates his impending suffering and death.
The Night Before the Crucifixion (c. AD 30)
Jesus' Arrest
Judas arrives with a mob to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, betraying him with a kiss, marking the beginning of Jesus' passion.
The Day of the Crucifixion (c. AD 30)
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha, bearing the sins of the world and fulfilling numerous prophecies, even as he experiences the agony of separation from God.
This passage powerfully describes the suffering servant bearing the griefs and sorrows of others, mirroring Jesus' own emotional burden in Gethsemane as he anticipated the weight of humanity's sin.
Psalm 6:2-3The psalmist's cry, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled,' echoes the deep anguish and distress Jesus experienced, highlighting the profound human experience of suffering.
Philippians 2:26Paul describes Epaphroditus as 'very sorry' or 'overwhelmed with concern' when he heard of the Philippians' distress, using a similar Greek word to that describing Jesus' state. This shows that profound empathy and distress in the face of suffering are deeply human, and Christ experienced them fully.
John 12:27Jesus himself says, 'Now is my soul troubled,' in anticipation of his crucifixion. This direct parallel shows that Jesus was not only aware of his impending suffering but was profoundly moved by it, just as he was in Gethsemane.
Genesis 3:15This first promise of a redeemer who would crush the serpent's head, while ultimately triumphant, implies a painful struggle. Jesus' sorrow in Gethsemane can be seen as the beginning of that bruising, the immense cost of fulfilling that foundational promise.
meyerMatthew 26:37: "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy."
Matthew 26:37 f. Anticipating the inward struggle that awaited Him, He retired farther into the garden, taking with Him none ( Matthew 17:1 ) but the three most intimate disciples. ἤρξατο ] indicating the first symptoms of the condition in question. λυπεῖσθαι κ . ἀδημονεῖν ] Climax. Suidas explains ἀδημον . as meaning: λίαν λυπεῖσθαι . See Buttmann, Lexilog . II. p. 135 f.; Ael. V.…
barnesMatthew 26:37: "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy."
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - That is, James and John, Matthew 10:2 . On two other occasions he had favored these disciples in a particular manner, suffering them to go with him to witness his power and glory, namely, at the healing of the ruler's daughter Luke 8:51 , and at his transfiguration on the mount, Matthew 17:1 . Sorrowful - Affected with grief.…
Jesus brought his three closest friends to witness his distress, not to lighten his burden, but to show them the depth of his human suffering and to underscore the gravity of the "cup" he was about to drink. The words used to describe his sorrow—"sorrowful" and "very heavy"—convey an overwhelming anguish so intense it threatened to crush him. This wasn't a mild sadness, but a profound, soul-deep agony, revealing the immense weight of the world's sin he was taking upon himself.
Jesus has just shared the Last Supper with his disciples and predicted their betrayal and denial. Now, he takes his closest three friends, Peter, James, and John, into the garden of Gethsemane, a place of intense sorrow and apprehension for what is about to happen. This is the beginning of his agony, as he prepares to face the crushing weight of sin and God's wrath for humanity.
Jesus has just shared the Last Supper with his disciples and predicted their betrayal and denial. Now, he takes his closest three friends, Peter, James, and John, into the garden of Gethsemane, a place of intense sorrow and apprehension for what is about to happen. This is the beginning of his agony, as he prepares to face the crushing weight of sin and God's wrath for humanity.
"And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled." — Jesus brought his three closest friends to witness his distress, not to lighten his burden, but to show them the depth of his human suffering and to underscore the gravity of the "cup" he was about t…
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Last reviewed October 2026