Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:37

What does Matthew 26:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:37 means

Jesus takes Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John) with him and becomes sorrowful and deeply troubled. By choosing this inner circle, Jesus seeks close companionship in his hour of distress, yet he experiences overwhelming sorrow. The description 'sorrowful and sore troubled' emphasizes the intensity of his emotional burden. It portrays a fully human Jesus who feels the weight of impending suffering, while also modeling vulnerability and the need for prayerful support in trials.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became sad and very troubled.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having taken Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful, and to be very heavy;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And taking with [him] Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed.

Context

This verse follows his instruction to stay and pray and shows Jesus drawing near friends into his anguish. The selection of Peter, James, and John echoes earlier intimate revelations and prepares for a pattern of human failing to sustain vigilance. The scene intensifies the drama of the passion, highlighting Jesus’ loneliness and the disciples’ weakness.

v.36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.

v.37This passage

v.38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 17:1

    And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

  • Mark 14:33

    And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • Matthew 4:18

    And walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers.

  • John 12:27

    Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour.

  • Matthew 20:20

    Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him.

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