Mark 14 34

Mark 14:34 kjv

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

Mark 14:34 nkjv

Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."

Mark 14:34 niv

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

Mark 14:34 esv

And he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch."

Mark 14:34 nlt

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

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 34 Meaning

Mark 14:34 reveals Jesus' profound inner turmoil as He anticipates the Cross. His "soul" (His very being, the core of His humanity) is consumed by overwhelming "sorrow" to the point of potentially causing physical collapse or death, highlighting the extreme spiritual and emotional agony He endured as He prepared to bear the sin of humanity. He also directly instructs His chosen disciples to "remain" with Him and "watch" (be vigilant), emphasizing His human need for fellowship and His awareness of the imminent spiritual struggle.

Mark 14 34 Context

Mark chapter 14 describes the final hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Following the Last Supper (Passover meal where He institutes the new covenant), Jesus goes with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. Verse 34 is part of the pivotal scene in the Garden, immediately preceding His intensely agonizing prayer to the Father. He takes Peter, James, and John further into the Garden with Him, setting them apart to be closer witnesses to His raw human struggle. This moment reveals Jesus' humanity and deep emotional suffering, a profound contrast to His divine resolve. The historical context includes the imminent betrayal by Judas and the desertion by His disciples, amplifying His aloneness. The call to "watch" underscores the spiritual warfare at hand and the disciples' spiritual unpreparedness, setting the stage for their failure.

Mark 14 34 Word analysis

• And He said (καὶ λέγει - kai legei): A direct and authoritative statement by Jesus, transitioning from His prior action (taking the three disciples aside). This simple, concise narrative verb ("He says," historical present) highlights the immediate and impactful nature of His communication.
• to them, (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers specifically to Peter, James, and John, the inner circle, chosen to be privy to this most intimate moment of suffering.
• “My soul (Ἡ ψυχή μου - Hē psychē mou): Psychē refers to the innermost self, the seat of emotions, will, and the very essence of one's being. It's not merely mental anguish, but a profound agony that pervades His entire human existence. It affirms Jesus' full humanity, with a real, responsive soul.
• is exceedingly sorrowful (περίλυπός ἐστιν - perilypos estin): Perilypos (from peri "around" or "very much" and lypē "grief, sorrow"). This Greek compound adjective emphasizes an intense, overwhelming sorrow that completely envelops Him. It means to be encompassed, surrounded by, or oppressed with grief. It is beyond ordinary sadness; it's a deep, consuming agony.
• unto death (ἕως θανάτου - heōs thanatou): Heōs means "up to" or "as far as." This phrase signifies an anguish so severe that it threatens His very life, potentially leading to physical death from distress. It does not mean He is actually dying in this moment, but that the emotional and spiritual pain is so acute it borders on being fatal, the absolute extreme of human suffering without yet passing into actual death. It underscores the unparalleled weight of sin He was beginning to experience.
• Remain here (Μείνατε ὧδε - Meinate hōde): A direct imperative verb, commanding them to stay put, to hold their ground in this location. This shows Jesus' need for human presence and support during this moment of crisis, as He goes to pray a little further.
• and watch.” (καὶ γρηγορεῖτε - kai grēgoreite): An imperative from grēgoreō, meaning to be awake, alert, vigilant, watchful. This isn't just about staying awake physically, but more importantly, about being spiritually alert, staying vigilant against temptation, and participating in prayer with Him. It's a call to share in His burden through faithful awareness and spiritual readiness.

Words-group by Words-group analysis:

• "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death": This entire phrase lays bare Jesus' unparalleled human suffering. It conveys the raw, intense emotional, psychological, and spiritual anguish He was experiencing. It speaks to the horror of bearing sin and anticipating separation from the Father. This is not a weakness, but a testimony to the profundity of His identification with humanity and the infinite weight of the cross.
• "Remain here and watch": This command signifies Jesus' desire for companionship and spiritual support. It implies the gravity of the spiritual battle unfolding and His anticipation of temptation and opposition. It's an invitation to His closest disciples to share in a moment of extreme vulnerability through active, spiritual vigilance.

Mark 14 34 Bonus section

The suffering in Gethsemane, captured intensely in this verse, highlights the doctrine of Christ's two natures – fully God and fully man. It is precisely because Jesus was fully human that He could experience such agonizing sorrow "unto death." Yet, it is His divine resolve that allowed Him to overcome this profound distress and submit to the Father's will. The place name "Gethsemane" itself means "oil press," a poignant metaphor for the crushing agony Jesus endured there, much like olives being crushed to extract oil. This Gethsemane agony reveals the spiritual prelude to His physical crucifixion, indicating that His suffering was not merely physical but deeply spiritual and psychological.

Mark 14 34 Commentary

Mark 14:34 is a profound glimpse into the humanity of Christ and the unparalleled agony of Gethsemane. Jesus' "exceedingly sorrowful" state, "unto death," reveals a human nature fully capable of extreme distress. This sorrow transcends mere fear of physical pain; it points to the horrifying spiritual reality of becoming sin for humanity (2 Cor 5:21), a momentary rupture in His eternal communion with the Father, which was the ultimate penalty for sin. His words are not a sign of weakness, but a testament to the immense cost of atonement, where He felt the full, crushing weight of humanity's sin.

His instruction to "remain here and watch" to Peter, James, and John is not only a plea for companionship but also a crucial call for spiritual readiness in the face of temptation. They were to be vigilant in prayer, to guard against the spiritual complacency and fear that would soon cause them to abandon Him. This highlights a universal principle: genuine watchfulness and prayer are essential for facing trials and temptations, mirroring Jesus' own example as He goes off to pray intensely. Their failure to do so, soon thereafter, underscores the vital necessity of constant spiritual alertness in our Christian walk.