Matthew 26:38

New American Standard Bible (1995)

Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He said to them, “I am deeply grieved

King James Version (1611)
Then saith he vnto them, My soule is exceeding sorrowfull, euen vnto death: tary ye heere, & watch with me.

King James Version
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

English Standard Version
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."

New American Standard Bible
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

New Century Version
He said to them, "My heart is full of sorrow, to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me."

Amplified Bible
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me."

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

Berean Standard Bible
Then He said to them, "My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me."

Contemporary English Version
and he said to them, "I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me."

Complete Jewish Bible
and he said to them, "My heart is so filled with sadness that I could die! Remain here and stay awake with me."

Darby Translation
Then he says to them, My soul is very sorrowful even unto death; remain here and watch with me.

Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus said to Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, "My heart is so heavy with grief, I feel as if I am dying. Wait here and stay awake with me."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then sayde Iesus vnto them, My soule is very heauie, euen vnto the death: tarie yee here, and watch with me.

George Lamsa Translation
He said to them, My soul is sorrowful even to death; wait for me here, and watch with me.

Good News Translation
and he said to them, "The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Lexham English Bible
Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me."

Literal Translation
Then He said to them, My soul is deeply grieved, even unto death. Stay here and watch with Me.

American Standard Version
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.

Bible in Basic English
Then says he to them, My soul is very sad, even to death: keep watch with me here.

Hebrew Names Version
Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me."

International Standard Version
Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me."John 12:27;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And he said to them, My soul is afflicted unto death; wait for me here, and watch with me.

Murdock Translation
And he said to them: There is anguish in my soul, even unto death. Wait for me here; and watch with me.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then sayde Iesus vnto them: My soule is heauy, euen vnto the death, tary ye here, and watche with me.

English Revised Version
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.

World English Bible
Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Then saith he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Weymouth's New Testament
and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thanne he seide to hem, My soule is soreuful to the deeth; abide ye here, and wake ye with me.

Update Bible Version
Then he says to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: abide here, and watch with me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then saith he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

New English Translation
Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me."

New King James Version
Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."

New Living Translation
He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

New Life Bible
Then He said to them, "My soul is very sad. My soul is so full of sorrow I am ready to die. You stay here and watch with Me."

New Revised Standard
Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then, saith he unto them: Encompassed with grief, is my soul, unto death: Abide ye here, and be watching with me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.

Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then sayd Iesus vnto them: my soule is hevy even vnto the deeth. Tary ye here and watche wt me.

Young's Literal Translation
then saith he to them, `Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul -- unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sayde Iesus vnto them: My soule is heuy euen vnto the death. Tary ye here, and watch with me.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and he said to them, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:" stay here and watch by me.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Then Jesus told the three cowboys, "I feel as if I will be crushed by the pain and sorrow I'm feelin' right now. I'm worried that it might actually kill me. Y'all wait right here and take first watch while I go and talk to my Dad."

Contextual Overview

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."³⁹ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴² He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." ⁴³ Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. ⁴⁵ Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

My: Job 6:2-4, Psalms 88:1-7, Psalms 88:14-16, Psalms 116:3, Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah 53:10, Romans 8:32, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18

tarry: Matthew 26:40, Matthew 25:13, 1 Peter 4:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 2:4 - meat offering Leviticus 3:14 - the fat that covereth 2 Samuel 22:7 - my distress Job 7:11 - the anguish Job 15:24 - anguish Job 21:4 - is my complaint Psalms 6:3 - My Psalms 13:2 - sorrow Psalms 18:4 - sorrows Psalms 20:1 - hear Psalms 22:14 - I am Psalms 55:4 - My Psalms 57:6 - my soul Psalms 69:2 - the floods Psalms 69:17 - for I am Psalms 69:20 - I am Psalms 102:4 - heart Song of Solomon 5:3 - have put Jonah 4:9 - even Matthew 24:42 - Watch Mark 14:33 - and began John 12:27 - is John 13:21 - he was Acts 16:25 - prayed 1 Thessalonians 5:6 - watch Hebrews 5:7 - in that he feared

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then saith he unto them,.... The three disciples, Peter, James, and John, who, by his looks and gestures, might know somewhat of the inward distress of his mind; yet he choose to express it to them in words, saying,

my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. That Christ had an human soul, as well as an human body, is clear from hence; and which was possessed of the same passions as ours are, but without sin, such as joy, love, grief, sorrow, c. and at this time its sorrows were exceeding great: his soul was beset all around with the sins of his people these took hold on him, and encompassed him, which must, in the most sensible manner, affect his pure and spotless mind; the sorrows of death and hell surrounded him on every side, insomuch that the least degree of comfort was not let in to him; nor was there any way open for it, so that his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow; his heart was ready to break; he was brought even, as it were, to the dust of death; nor would his sorrows leave him, he was persuaded, until soul and body were separated from each other; see a like phrase in Judges 16:16,

tarry ye here. The Ethiopic adds, "till I shall return", for he was going a little further from them, to vent his grief, and pour out his soul unto God. Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads it, "expect me", or "wait for me here", signifying, that he should return to them shortly;

and watch with me. It was night, and they might be heavy and inclined to sleep: he knew it would be an hour of temptation both to him and them, and therefore advises them to watch against it; and to observe how it would go with him, and what should befall him, that they might be witnesses of it, and be able to testify what agonies he endured, what grace he exercised, and how submissive he was to his Father's will.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane - This account is also recorded in Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.

Matthew 26:36

Then cometh ... - After the institution of the Lord’s Supper, in the early part of the night, he went out to the Mount of Olives.

In his journey he passed over the brook Cedron John 18:1, which bounded Jerusalem on the east.

Unto a place - John calls this “a garden.” This garden was on the western side of the Mount of Olives, and a short distance from Jerusalem. The word used by John means not properly a garden for the cultivation of vegetables, but a place planted with the olive and other trees, perhaps with a fountain of water, and with walks and groves; a proper place of refreshment in a hot climate, and of retirement from the noise of the adjacent city. Such places were doubtless common in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Messrs. Fisk and King, American missionaries were at the place which is commonly supposed to have been the garden of Gethsemane in 1823. They tell us that the garden is about a stone’s cast from the brook of Cedron; that it now contains eight large and venerable-looking olives, whose trunks show their great antiquity. The spot is sandy and barren, and appears like a forsaken place. A low broken wall surrounds it.

Mr. King sat down beneath one of the trees and read Isaiah 53:1-12, and also the gospel history of our Redeemer’s sorrow during that memorable night in which he was there betrayed; and the interest of the association was heightened by the passing through the place of a party of Bedouins, armed with spears and swords. A recent traveler says of this place that it “is a field or garden about 50 paces square, with a few shrubs growing in it, and eight olive-trees of great antiquity, the whole enclosed with a stone wall.” The place was probably fixed upon, as Dr. Robinson supposes, during the visit of Helena to Jerusalem, 326 a.d., when the places of the crucifixion and resurrection were believed to be identified. There is, however, no absolute certainty respecting the places. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. ii. p. 484) supposes it most probable that the real “Garden of Gethsemane” was several hundred yards to the northwest of the present Gethsemane, in a place much more secluded than the one usually regarded as that where the agony of the Saviour occurred, and therefore more likely to have been the place of his retirement. Nothing, however, that is of importance depends on ascertaining the exact spot.

Luke says that Jesus “went as he was wont” - that is, accustomed - “to the Mount of Olives.” Probably he had been in the habit of retiring from Jerusalem to that place for meditation and prayer, thus enforcing by his example what he had so often done by his precepts the duty of retiring from the noise and bustle of the world to hold communion with God.

Gethsemane - This word is made up either of two Hebrew words, signifying “valley of fatness” - that is, a fertile valley; or of two words, signifying “an olive-press,” given to it, probably, because the place was filled with olives.

Sit ye here - That is, in one part of the garden to which they first came.

While I go and pray yonder - That is, at the distance of a stone’s cast, Luke 22:41. Luke adds that when he came to the garden he charged them to pray that they might not enter into temptation - that is, into deep “trials and afflictions,” or, more probably, into scenes and dangers that would tempt them to deny him.

Matthew 26:37

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - That is, James and John, Matthew 10:2. On two other occasions he had favored these disciples in a particular manner, suffering them to go with him to witness his power and glory, namely, at the healing of the ruler’s daughter Luke 8:51, and at his transfiguration on the mount, Matthew 17:1.

Sorrowful - Affected with grief.

Very heavy - The word in the original is much stronger than the one translated “sorrowful.” It means, to be pressed down or overwhelmed with great anguish. This was produced, doubtless, by a foresight of his great sufferings on the cross in making an atonement for the sins of people.

Matthew 26:38

My soul is exceeding sorrowful - His human nature - his soul - was much and deeply affected and pressed down.

Even unto death - This denotes extreme sorrow and agony.

The sufferings of death are the greatest of which we have any knowledge; they are the most feared and dreaded by man; and those sufferings are therefore put for extreme and indescribable anguish. The meaning may be thus expressed: My sorrows are so great that under their burden I am ready to die; such is the anxiety of mind, that I seem to bear the pains of death!

Tarry ye here and watch with me - The word rendered “watch” means, literally, to abstain from sleep; then to be vigilant, or to guard against danger. Here it seems to mean to sympathize with him, to unite with him in seeking divine support, and to prepare themselves for approaching dangers.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further - That is, at the distance that a man could conveniently cast a stone (Luke).

Fell on his face - Luke says “he kneeled down.” He did both.

He first kneeled, and then, in the fervency of his prayer and the depth of his sorrow, he fell with his face on the ground, denoting the deepest anguish and the most earnest entreaty. This was the usual posture of prayer in times of great earnestness. See Numbers 16:22; 2 Chronicles 20:18; Nehemiah 8:6.

If it be possible - That is, if the world can be redeemed - if it be consistent with justice, and with maintaining the government of the universe, that people should be saved without this extremity of sorrow, let it be done. There is no doubt that if it had been possible it would have been done; and the fact that these sufferings were “not” removed, and that the Saviour went forward and bore them without mitigation, shows that it was not consistent with the justice of God and with the welfare of the universe that people should be saved without the awful sufferings of “such an atonement.”

Let this cup - These bitter sufferings. These approaching trials. The word cup is often used in this sense, denoting sufferings. See the notes at Matthew 20:22.

Not as I will, but as thou wilt - As Jesus was man as well as God, there is nothing inconsistent in supposing that, as man, he was deeply affected in view of these sorrows. When he speaks of His will, he expresses what “human nature,” in view of such great sufferings, would desire. It naturally shrunk from them and sought deliverance. Yet he sought to do the will of God. He chose rather that the high purpose of God should be done, than that that purpose should be abandoned from regard to the fears of his human nature. In this he has left a model of prayer in all times of affliction. It is right, in times of calamity, to seek deliverance. Like the Saviour, also, in such seasons we should, we must submit cheerfully to the will of God, confident that in all these trials he is wise, and merciful, and good.

Matthew 26:40

And findeth them asleep - It may seem remarkable that in such circumstances, with a suffering, pleading Redeemer near, surrounded by danger, and having received a special charge to watch - that is, not to sleep - they should so soon have fallen asleep.

It is frequently supposed that this was proof of wonderful stupidity, and indifference to their Lord’s sufferings. The truth is, however, that it was just the reverse; “it was proof of their great attachment, and their deep sympathy in his sorrows.” Luke has added that he found “them sleeping” for sorrow - that is, “on account” of their sorrow; or their grief was so great that they naturally fell asleep. Multitudes of facts might be brought to show that this is in accordance with the regular effects of grief. Dr. Rush says: “There is another symptom of grief, which is not often noticed, and that is “profound sleep.” I have often witnessed it even in mothers, immediately after the death of a child. Criminals, we are told by Mr. Akerman, the keeper of Newgate, in London, often sleep soundly the night before their execution. The son of General Custine slept nine hours the night before he was led to the guillotine in Paris.” - Diseases of the Mind, p. 319.

Saith unto Peter ... - This earnest appeal was addressed to Peter particularly on account of his warm professions, his rash zeal, and his self-confidence. If he could not keep awake and watch with the Saviour for one hour, how little probability was there that he would adhere to him in the trials through which he was soon to pass!

Matthew 26:41

Watch - See Matthew 26:38. Greater trials are coming on. It is necessary, therefore, still to be on your guard.

And pray - Seek aid from God by supplication, in view of the thickening calamities.

That ye enter not into temptation - That ye be not overcome and oppressed with these trials of your faith so as to deny me. The word “temptation” here properly means what would test their faith in the approaching calamities - in his rejection and death. It would “try” their faith, because, though they believed that he was the Messiah, they were not very clearly aware of the necessity of his death, and they did not fully understand that he was to rise again. They had cherished the belief that he was to establish a kingdom “while he lived.” When they should see him, therefore, rejected, tried, crucified, dead - when they should see him submit to all this as if he had not power to deliver himself - “then” would be the trial of their faith; and, in view of that, he exhorted them to pray that they might not so enter temptation as to be overcome by it and fall.

The spirit indeed is willing ... - The mind, the heart is ready and disposed to bear these trials, but the “flesh,” the natural feelings, through the fear of danger, is weak, and will be likely to lead you astray when the trial comes. Though you may have strong faith, and believe now that you will not deny me, yet human nature is weak, and shrinks at trials, and you should therefore seek strength from on high. This was intended to excite them, notwithstanding he knew that they loved him, to be on their guard, lest the weakness of human nature should be insufficient to sustain them in the hour of their temptation.

Matthew 26:42-44

It is probable that our Lord spent considerable time in prayer, and that the evangelists have recorded rather “the substance” of his petitions than the very “words.” He returned repeatedly to his disciples, doubtless to caution them against danger, to show the deep interest which he had in their welfare, and to show them the extent of his sufferings on their behalf

Each time that he returned these sorrows deepened. Again he sought the place of prayer, and as his approaching sufferings overwhelmed him, this was the burden of his prayer, and he prayed the same words. Luke adds that amid his agonies an angel appeared from heaven strengthening him. His human nature began to sink, as unequal to his sufferings, and a messenger from heaven appeared, to support him in these heavy trials. It may seem strange that, since Jesus was divine John 1:1, the divine nature did not minister strength to the human, and that he that was God should receive strength from an “angel.” But it should be remembered that Jesus came in his human nature not only to make an atonement, but to be a perfect example of a holy man; that, as such, it was necessary to submit to the common conditions of humanity - that he should live as other people, be sustained as other people, suffer as other people, and be strengthened as other people; that he should, so to speak, take no advantage in favor of his piety, from his divinity, but submit it in all things to the common lot of pious people. Hence, he supplied his wants, not by his being divine, but in the ordinary way of human life; he preserved himself from danger, not as God, but by seeking the usual ways of human prudence and precaution; he met trials as a man; he received comfort as a man; and there is no absurdity in supposing that, in accordance with the condition of his people, his human nature should be strengthened, as they are, by those who are sent forth to be ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation, Hebrews 1:14.

Further, Luke adds Luke 22:44 that, being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. The word “agony” is taken from the anxiety, effort, and strong emotion of the wrestlers in the Greek games about to engage in a mighty struggle. Here it denotes the extreme anguish of mind, the strong conflict produced in sinking human nature from the prospect of deep and overwhelming calamities.

“Great drops of blood,” Luke 22:44. The word rendered here as “great drops” does not mean drops gently falling on the ground, but rather thick and clammy masses of gore, pressed by inward agony through the skin, and, mixing with the sweat, falling thus to the ground. It has been doubted by some whether the sacred writer meant to say that there was actually “blood” in this sweat, or only that the sweat was “in the form” of great drops. The natural meaning is, doubtless, that the blood was mingled with his sweat; that it fell profusely - falling masses of gore; that it was pressed out by his inward anguish; and that this was caused in some way in view of his approaching death. This effect of extreme sufferings, of mental anguish. has been known in several other instances. Bloody sweats have been mentioned by many writers as caused by extreme suffering. Dr. Doddridge says (Note at Luke 22:44) that “Aristotle and Diodorus Siculus both mention bloody sweats as attending some extraordinary agony of mind; and I find Loti, in his “Life of Pope Sextus V.,” and Sir John Chardin, in his “History of Persia,” mentioning a like phenomenon, to which Dr. Jackson adds another from Thuanus.” It has been objected to this account that it is improbable, and that such an event could not occur. The instances, however, which are referred to by Doddridge and others show sufficiently that the objection is unfounded. In addition to these, I may observe that Voltaire has himself narrated a fact which ought forever to stop the mouths of infidels. Speaking of Charles IX of France, in his “Universal History,” he says: “He died in his 35th year. His disorder was of a very remarkable kind; the blood oozed out of all his pores. This malady, of which there have been other instances, was owing to either excessive fear, or violent agitation, or to a feverish and melancholy temperament.”

Various opinions have been given of the probable causes of these sorrows of the Saviour. Some have thought it was strong shrinking from the manner of dying on the cross, or from an apprehension of being “forsaken” there by the Father; others, that Satan was permitted in a special manner to test him, and to fill his mind with horrors, having departed from him at the beginning of his ministry for a season Luke 4:13, only to renew his temptations in a more dreadful manner now; and others that these sufferings were sent upon him as the wrath of God manifested against sin that God inflicted them directly upon him by his own hand, to show his abhorrence of the sins of people for which he was about to die. Where the Scriptures are silent about the cause, it does not become us confidently to express an opinion. We may suppose, perhaps, without presumption, that a part or all these things were combined to produce this awful suffering. There is no need of supposing that there was a single thing that produced it; but it is rather probable that this was a rush of feeling from every quarter - his situation, his approaching death, the temptations of the enemy, the awful suffering on account of people’s sins, and God’s hatred of it about to be manifested in his own death - all coming upon his soul at once sorrow flowing in from every quarter - the “concentration” of the sufferings of the atonement pouring together upon him and filling him with unspeakable anguish.

Matthew 26:45

Sleep on now and take your rest - Most interpreters have supposed that this should be translated as a question rattler than a command,

“Do you sleep now and take your rest? Is this a time, amid so much danger and so many enemies. to give yourselves to sleep?” This construction is strongly countenanced by Luke 22:46, where the expression. Why sleep ye? evidently refers to the same point of time. There is no doubt that the Greek will bear this construction, and in this way the apparent inconsistency will be removed between this command “to sleep,” and that in the next verse, “to rise” and be going. Others suppose that, his agony being over, and the necessity of watching with him being now past, he kindly permitted them to seek repose until they should be roused by the coming of the traitor; that while they slept Jesus continued still awake; that some considerable time elapsed between what was spoken here and in the next verse; and that Jesus suffered them to sleep until he saw Judas coming, and then aroused them. This is the most probable opinion. Others have supposed that he spoke this in irony: “Sleep on now, if you can; take rest, if possible, in such dangers and at such a time.” But this supposition is unworthy the Saviour and the occasion. Mark adds, “It is enough.” That is, sufficient time has been given to sleep. It is time to arise and be going.

The hour is at hand - The “time” when the Son of man is to be betrayed is near.

Sinners - Judas, the Roman soldiers, and the Jews.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 38. Then saith he — Then saith - Jesus: - I have added the word Jesus, ὁ Ιησους, on the authority of a multitude of eminent MSS. See them in Griesbach.

My soul is exceeding sorrowful, (or, is surrounded with exceeding sorrow,) even unto death. — This latter word explains the two former: My soul is so dissolved in sorrow, my spirit is filled with such agony and anguish, that, if speedy succour be not given to my body, death must be the speedy consequence.

Now, the grand expiatory sacrifice begins to be offered: in this garden Jesus enters fully into the sacerdotal office; and now, on the altar of his immaculate divinity, begins to offer his own body - his own life - a lamb without spot, for the sin of the world. St. Luke observes, Luke 22:43-44, that there appeared unto him an angel from heaven strengthening him; and that, being in an agony, his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground. How exquisite must this anguish have been, when it forced the very blood through the coats of the veins, and enlarged the pores in such a preternatural manner as to cause them to empty it out in large successive drops! In my opinion, the principal part of the redemption price was paid in this unprecedented and indescribable agony.

Bloody sweats are mentioned by many authors; but none was ever such as this - where a person in perfect health, (having never had any predisposing sickness to induce a debility of the system,) and in the full vigour of life, about thirty-three years of age, suddenly, through mental pressure, without any fear of death, sweat great drops of blood; and these continued, during his wrestling with God to fall to the ground.

To say that all this was occasioned by the fear he had of the ignominious death which he was about to die confutes itself - for this would not only rob him of his divinity, for which purpose it is brought, but it deprives him of all excellency, and even of manhood itself. The prospect of death could not cause him to suffer thus, when he knew that in less than three days he was to be restored to life, and be brought into an eternity of blessedness. His agony and distress can receive no consistent explication but on this ground - He SUFFERED, the JUST for the UNJUST, that he might BRING us to GOD. O glorious truth! O infinitely meritorious suffering! And O! above all, the eternal love, that caused him to undergo such sufferings for the sake of SINNERS!