CHAPTER LXVIII.
THE AGONY OF JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.
THEN cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, where was a garden, into the which he entered and his disciples. And when he was at the place, he said unto them,
Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them,
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little farther, and kneeled down, and fell on his face on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said,
Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: O my Father, if it be possible, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,
Simon, sleepest thou? What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away the second time, and prayed, and spake the same words: saying,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. And he cometh the third time to his disciples, and saith unto them,
Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And when he rose up from prayer and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them,
Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band
of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns, and torches and weapons.
And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people.
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them,
Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them,
I am he.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again,
Whom seek ye?
And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered,
I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake. Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.