Devine Scripture

Luke 22:40

What does Luke 22:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:40 means

At the place, Jesus commands His disciples: “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” The coming trial is both external and internal; prayer is the appointed guard. Jesus knows their weakness and provides the remedy—watchful dependence. He does not tell them to prepare swords now but to seek strength from God. This directive frames their failure; they will sleep instead of pray. The command also reveals that temptation is not irresistible; grace is available. The Lord shepherds His own by pointing them to the Father. His words are not mere advice but urgent instruction for survival in faith when pressure mounts. Prayer aligns the heart with God’s will and gives power to endure without denial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he came to the place, he said to them, Make a prayer that you may not be put to the test.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come to the place, he said to them, `Pray ye not to enter into temptation.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when he was at the place he said to them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Context

Having arrived on the mount of Olives, Jesus issues a clear command before withdrawing to pray Himself. The next verses will depict His solitary anguish as He kneels and pleads about the cup, submitting to the Father’s will. An angel will strengthen Him, and His agony will intensify, contrasted with the disciples’ sleep. After prayer, He will return to find them sleeping and will repeat the call to rise and pray, just as the betrayer arrives.

v.39And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.

v.40This passage

v.41And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 30:8

    Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me:

  • 1 Peter 4:7

    But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7

    And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.

  • Psalms 17:5

    My steps have held fast to thy paths, My feet have not slipped.

  • Luke 11:4

    And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

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