Devine Scripture

Mark 14:34

What does Mark 14:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:34 means

Jesus says, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death,” and asks them to stay and watch. He confesses the depth of His agony, a sorrow so heavy it nearly crushes Him. He invites companionship and vigilance, showing the value of shared prayer in crisis. Yet He stands alone in the task only He can bear. “Watch” prepares them to resist temptation, though they will falter. This glimpse into Jesus’ heart shows the cost of our salvation. He names His grief honestly, seeking the Father’s help, modeling lament and dependence without sin.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: be here a little time, and keep watch.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he saith to them, `Exceeding sorrowful is my soul--to death; remain here, and watch.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to them, My soul is full of grief even unto death; abide here and watch.

Context

Having drawn the three aside, Jesus verbalizes His anguish and instructs them to remain alert. Immediately after, He will move a little forward to pray intensely about the cup. The disciples’ call to watch heightens the disappointment when they sleep. This charge and their failure become part of the lesson Jesus will state explicitly: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. The narrative alternates between Jesus’ solitary prayer and the disciples’ drowsiness until the moment of betrayal arrives.

v.33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.

v.34This passage

v.35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Mark 13:35

    Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning;

  • Mark 14:37

    And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest thou not watch one hour?

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

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

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