Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:43

What does Matthew 26:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:43 means

Jesus returns again and finds the disciples sleeping because their eyes were heavy. Their repeated sleeping underscores human weakness and inability to minister in prayer when exhausted. The description 'eyes were heavy' softens the reproach with an observation of physical limitation. It emphasizes that spiritual failing often has physical roots, yet it remains a serious lapse in a critical hour. The verse deepens the poignancy: while Jesus wrestles with the path to the cross, his friends are overcome by sleep rather than prayerful solidarity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he came again and saw them sleeping, for their eyes were tired.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come, he findeth them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And coming he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

Context

This verse follows Jesus’ second prayer and reinforces the pattern of the disciples’ failure to watch. It prepares the third prayer and the final summons before betrayal. For readers, the repetition drives home the disciples’ inadequacy and heightens the isolation and intensity of Jesus’ inner struggle.

v.42Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.

v.43This passage

v.44And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 23:34

    Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

  • Jonah 1:6

    So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

  • Luke 9:32

    Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:6

    so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.

  • Romans 13:1

    Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God.

  • Acts 20:9

    And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

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