Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:38

What does Matthew 26:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:38 means

Jesus confesses that his soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death, and tells them to stay and watch with him. He expresses the extremity of his distress honestly—his inner life is so burdened it approaches the brink of death. Yet he still entrusts his friends with the duty to watch, combining personal disclosure with pastoral appeal. The verse underscores the intensity of prayer required in the face of suffering and the necessity of spiritual vigilance even when the flesh is weak.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then says he to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: keep watch with me here.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then saith he to them, `Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul--unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he says to them, My soul is very sorrowful even unto death; remain here and watch with me.

Context

This candid declaration comes in the opening of the Gethsemane prayer scene. It heightens the emotional stakes and invites the disciples into participatory watchfulness, though they will fail. The verse prepares readers for Jesus’ subsequent private prayers and the disciples’ inability to keep watch, illustrating the theme of spiritual weakness under trial.

v.37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.

v.38This passage

v.39And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 88:14

    Jehovah, why castest thou off my soul? Why hidest thou thy face from me?

  • 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 25:13

    Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

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

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.

  • Psalms 116:3

    The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

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