Matthew 26:41
What does Matthew 26:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 26:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 26:41 means
Jesus commands them to watch and pray so they won't fall into temptation, observing that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He links vigilance and prayer as defenses against sin and failure. The phrase acknowledges the disciples’ good intentions but warns of bodily weakness. This practical admonition applies broadly: spiritual susceptibility often arises from physical fatigue. The verse balances compassion with instruction, emphasizing the necessity of prayerful alertness to resist testing and to sustain faithful conduct in crisis.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test: the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862watch, and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Watch ye: and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] ready, but the flesh weak.
Context
This follows the discovery of sleeping disciples and elaborates why their watchfulness mattered. It frames their failure not as wholly malicious but as symptomatic of human frailty, while still urging responsibility. For readers, the verse connects the garden scene to broader moral teaching about prayer, watchfulness, and the interplay of spirit and flesh.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 3:10
Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Psalms 119:1
Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
- Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.
- Luke 8:13
And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
- Matthew 26:38
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.
- Luke 22:46
and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
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