Luke 22 40

Luke 22:40 kjv

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Luke 22:40 nkjv

When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Luke 22:40 niv

On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

Luke 22:40 esv

And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Luke 22:40 nlt

There he told them, "Pray that you will not give in to temptation."

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 40 Meaning

This verse records Jesus' urgent instruction to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, commanding them to pray earnestly to God so that they would not succumb to the spiritual tests and trials that were imminent, particularly those designed to cause them to stumble or fall into sin.

Luke 22 40 Context

Luke 22:40 is situated in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, immediately after Jesus and His disciples have shared the Last Supper (Luke 22:7-38), where Jesus instituted the New Covenant and spoke of His impending betrayal and the disciples' failures. The group has moved to their familiar prayer place. This verse initiates the climactic struggle in Jesus' life before His arrest. Jesus' instruction to "pray" underscores the gravity of the spiritual warfare occurring. The disciples are fatigued and spiritually unready for the trial (the "temptation" or peirasmos) that would test their loyalty and faith, contrasting sharply with Jesus' profound agony and surrender to the Father's will. The ensuing narrative will show their failure to heed this command, culminating in Peter's denial and the disciples' scattering.

Luke 22 40 Word analysis

• When he arrived at the place: Refers to the Garden of Gethsemane, a customary retreat for Jesus and His disciples (Luke 22:39). It signifies a place of spiritual retreat, contemplation, and frequently, profound prayer. This specific location serves as a poignant backdrop for Jesus's immense suffering and spiritual battle.

• he said to them: Jesus, as their Master and shepherd, issues a direct and authoritative command, demonstrating His care and foresight concerning their spiritual vulnerability. It's an act of compassion and urgent warning.

• 'Pray' (Greek: proseuchomai): This is an imperative command, indicating urgency and necessity. It is a broad term for devotion, supplication, and seeking God's face. It highlights active, continuous, and dependent communion with God. This form of prayer implies a spiritual struggle and the pursuit of divine strength to endure.

• 'that you will not fall' (Greek: hina mē eiselthēte, literally "in order that you may not enter into"): This phrase implies avoiding the state or condition of being overtaken or overcome. It suggests a vulnerability that, if not guarded against through prayer, would lead to spiritual failure, sin, or succumbing to external pressure. It's not about avoiding encountering temptation, but about not yielding to it.

• 'into temptation' (Greek: eis peirasmon):

  • Peirasmos can denote a test, a trial, or temptation. In this context, it encapsulates various forms of severe spiritual testing.
  • It refers to the severe trials, adversities, and solicitations to evil that would besiege the disciples shortly, specifically in the hour of Jesus' arrest, suffering, and crucifixion. This would test their faith, commitment, and resolve to follow Jesus.
  • For the disciples, this "temptation" would include the fear of arrest, the temptation to abandon Jesus, the trial of Peter's denial, and their overall spiritual weakness and unpreparedness for the unfolding events. Their temptation was to succumb to fear, doubt, and self-preservation, rather than remaining steadfast in faith.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Pray that you will not fall into temptation": This is a pivotal command emphasizing the critical link between diligent prayer and spiritual perseverance. Jesus recognizes the disciples' spiritual unpreparedness ("the flesh is weak" – Mark 14:38 parallel) and provides the means—prayer—to empower them against inevitable spiritual assaults. This phrase encapsulates the vital need for divine strength when confronted with intense spiritual pressure, making prayer not merely an option but a spiritual lifeline.

Luke 22 40 Bonus section

• The immediate failure of the disciples to stay awake and pray (Luke 22:45) directly foreshadows their subsequent failures, like Peter's denial and the flight of all disciples, proving the veracity and necessity of Jesus' warning.
• Jesus, in His own prayer in Gethsemane, modeled what He commanded: deep, persistent prayer in the face of unimaginable temptation (Luke 22:42-44), demonstrating reliance on the Father even unto death.
• This instruction provides a timeless principle for believers: active prayer is the spiritual bulwark against both the trials that test faith and the temptations that lead to sin, particularly during seasons of heightened spiritual vulnerability.

Luke 22 40 Commentary

Luke 22:40 reveals Jesus' profound understanding of both the spiritual battle He was about to face and the deep spiritual vulnerability of His disciples. His command to "Pray that you will not fall into temptation" (Gk. eis peirasmon) is a clear warning that severe tests, trials, and temptations to sin were imminent for them. Unlike a casual suggestion, this urgent imperative highlights that without active and fervent prayer, their natural human weakness (often termed "the flesh") would inevitably lead them to stumble or betray their faith in the face of fear, persecution, or despair. The subsequent events, where the disciples fail to stay awake and later abandon Jesus or deny Him, starkly demonstrate the consequences of neglecting this critical spiritual discipline. The verse stands as an eternal reminder that prayer is the primary spiritual defense against succumbing to the diverse forms of testing that confront believers, safeguarding one's faith and integrity amidst trials.

• Examples:
  • A student facing immense academic pressure might pray not to fall into the temptation of cheating.
  • Someone facing severe financial hardship might pray not to fall into the temptation of unethical dealings or despair.
  • A Christian undergoing persecution might pray to remain steadfast and not fall into the temptation of denying their faith.