Matthew 26:36-37

Having left the upper room, traditionally located on the southern part of Mt. Zion, west of the City of David, Jesus took His disciples east out of Jerusalem and across the Kidron Valley to the western slope of Mt. Olivet. [Note: See the diagram of Jerusalem in New Testament Times at the end of these notes.]

"The streets could scarcely be said to be deserted, for, from many a house shone the festive lamp, and many a company may still have been gathered; and everywhere was the bustle of preparation for going up to the Temple, the gates of which were thrown open at midnight." [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:533.]

The word "Gethsemane" means "oil press." This olive press was in an olive grove where Jesus and His disciples had been before (John 18:1-2). Peter and the disciples had just boasted of their strength while Jesus told them they were weak (Matthew 26:31-35). In contrast, Jesus sensed His weakness and so made plans to gain strength from His Father. [Note: Plummer, p. 368.] This section of the text is full of contrasts involving strength and weakness (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Jesus left most of the disciples in one part of the olive orchard and took Peter, James, and John with Him to another area (cf. Matthew 17:1; Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). There He began to release some of the emotions that He had held in check thus far. He became grieved or sorrowful (Gr. lypeisthai) and distressed or troubled (Gr. ademonein). The second Greek word implies, "a restless, distracted, shrinking from some trouble, or thought of trouble, which nevertheless cannot be escaped." [Note: M’Neile, p. 389.]

"No man, in sinful and mortal flesh, can understand the conflict in the holy soul of Jesus who had never experienced the slightest shadow of sin and had never known any barrier between Himself and the Father." [Note: Walvoord, Matthew: . . ., p. 218.]