Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:44

What does Matthew 26:44 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:44 means

Jesus leaves them and prays a third time, repeating the same words. The triad of prayers shows persistence and deepening submission to the Father. The repetition emphasizes Jesus’ steady obedience; he prays earnestly yet returns to find human weakness unchanged. The triple repetition has weight in biblical practice (threefold affirmation) and signals Jesus’ resolute acceptance of suffering. It portrays prayer not as a magic formula but as the place where the Son receives strength to fulfill his mission despite sorrow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went away from them again, and a third time said the same prayer.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having left them, having gone away again, he prayed a third time, saying the same word;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And leaving them, he went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Context

This third prayer concludes the Gethsemane petition sequence and follows the disciples’ repeated sleeping. The triple pattern both intensifies Jesus’ spiritual struggle and models relentless prayer. For readers, it highlights the seriousness of the hour and Jesus’ unwavering commitment to do the Father’s will despite human abandonment.

v.43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

v.44This passage

v.45Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 18:1

    And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • 2 Corinthians 12:8

    Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

  • Daniel 9:17

    Now therefore, O our God, hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

  • Matthew 6:7

    And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

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