Matthew 26 45

Matthew 26:45 kjv

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26:45 nkjv

Then He came to His 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.

Matthew 26:45 niv

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26:45 esv

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26:45 nlt

Then he came to the disciples and said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look ? the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 45 Meaning

Matthew 26:45 encapsulates Jesus' return to His sleeping disciples for the third time in Gethsemane, marking a profound shift from agonizing prayer to immediate action. Jesus' rhetorical question expresses a gentle yet firm rebuke of their spiritual lethargy, announcing the imminence of His betrayal. He declares that "the hour" of His predetermined suffering has arrived, and the "Son of Man"—His self-designation for both humanity and divine authority—is about to be delivered into the power of those He calls "sinners," initiating His arrest and passion.

Matthew 26 45 Context

Matthew 26:45 occurs within the intensely dramatic narrative of Gethsemane, immediately preceding Jesus' betrayal and arrest. Jesus has withdrawn from nine of His disciples, taking Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden to pray. Overwhelmed with sorrow and facing immense spiritual agony regarding the impending cross, Jesus had explicitly asked them to "remain here and watch with Me" (Mt 26:38) and to "watch and pray" (Mt 26:41). He had returned twice already to find them sleeping, offering a gentle caution that their "spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." This third instance is a critical turning point. Jesus has finished His agonizing prayer, having fully surrendered His will to the Father's, accepting the cup of suffering. His previous exhortations to watch now transition to a stark declaration of the inevitable. The immediate historical context is the Passover week, a time of heightened religious tension in Jerusalem. Judas, having agreed to betray Jesus, is now imminently approaching with a band of soldiers and temple guards, setting the stage for the physical manifestation of the betrayal that Jesus has announced. The verse thus bridges Jesus' private spiritual struggle with the commencement of His public passion.

Matthew 26 45 Word analysis

• Then: Indicates a sequential action, linking this moment directly to Jesus having concluded His third prayer.
• he came: Jesus, despite His own profound distress, consistently showed care for His disciples.
• to His disciples: Specifically Peter, James, and John, who had been chosen to accompany Him deeper into Gethsemane.
• and said to them: Direct address, highlighting the significance of His words.
• "Are you still sleeping": This is a rhetorical question, carrying a tone of gentle but serious reproach. It highlights their repeated failure to maintain vigilance.
  • καθεύδετε (katheudete): (Greek, verb, present active indicative) Literally "are you sleeping," implying a state of deep, continuous slumber. It denotes a spiritual as much as physical inability to be alert or watchful, contrary to Jesus' command to "watch."
• "and taking your rest?": Reinforces the state of their physical and spiritual inaction at a moment of supreme urgency.
  • ἀναπαύεσθε (anapauesthe): (Greek, verb, present passive imperative, though used here rhetorically) "to rest," "to cease activity," "to find refreshment." The juxtaposition with Jesus' agony is stark; while He grappled with His fate, they found ease.
• "Behold,": An exclamation signaling a sudden and critical announcement, demanding immediate attention to the imminent reality.
  • ἰδοὺ (idou): (Greek, interjection/particle) "Look!" "See!" "Pay attention!" It introduces something new, important, or surprising, shifting the focus to a concrete, present reality.
• "the hour": Refers to the divinely appointed and pre-determined moment for Jesus' suffering, betrayal, death, and ultimately, His redemptive work. It's the critical juncture in God's redemptive plan.
  • ὥρα (hōra): (Greek, noun) This term, used throughout John's Gospel (e.g., Jn 12:23; 13:1; 17:1), consistently denotes Jesus' predetermined time of suffering and glorification.
• "is at hand,": It signifies the immediate arrival and proximity of this pre-ordained "hour." The event is no longer in the distant future but actively breaking in.
  • ἤγγικεν (ēngiken): (Greek, verb, perfect active indicative) "It has drawn near," "it has arrived." The perfect tense implies that the approach is complete, and the moment is now here.
• "and the Son of Man": Jesus' favored self-designation, powerfully uniting His human identity with His divine mission and eschatological authority (as seen in Daniel 7). Here, it emphasizes the paradox of the sovereign Son of Man willingly submitting to suffering.
  • Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (Huios tou anthrōpou): (Greek, noun phrase) This title encompasses both Jesus' true humanity (connecting with suffering and service, Mk 10:45) and His transcendent, divine authority (connecting with coming glory and judgment, Dan 7:13-14). Its use here highlights the staggering contrast between His heavenly identity and His earthly vulnerability.
• "is betrayed": Indicates the process of being delivered or handed over, a divine passive which emphasizes that while Judas is the agent, God's sovereign will is being fulfilled.
  • παραδίδοται (paradidotai): (Greek, verb, present passive indicative) "is being delivered over," or "is being betrayed." The present tense suggests an event that is either imminent, happening in the very moment, or as good as done due to its certainty. The passive voice points away from the human agent (Judas) and toward a higher power—God's divine purpose (Acts 2:23).
• "into the hands": A common idiom denoting being placed under the authority, power, or control of others. Jesus, the Lord of all, is willingly surrendering Himself to human power.
  • χεῖρας (cheiras): (Greek, noun, accusative plural) Refers to physical hands, but here idiomatically signifies power, control, and authority.
• "of sinners": This refers to the human agents of His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion—Judas, the temple guard, the Jewish religious authorities, and the Roman soldiers and rulers. These are individuals who act contrary to God's will, yet unwittingly fulfill His redemptive plan.
  • ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn): (Greek, adjective, genitive plural) "sinful ones," "wicked," "offenders." It highlights the spiritual contrast between the perfect Son of Man and those who will condemn Him.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?": This dual rhetorical question profoundly highlights the disciples' inability to empathize or remain vigilant despite Jesus' intense agony and repeated pleas. It underscores their human weakness ("flesh is weak") in the face of spiritual challenge.
• "Behold, the hour is at hand": This is an urgent declaration marking a decisive turning point. It announces the immediate onset of the climax of Jesus' earthly mission—the specific moment determined by God for the passion.
• "the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners": This phrase encapsulates a central theological paradox. The Son of Man, the glorious divine figure from Daniel, is voluntarily handed over to human beings characterized by their spiritual rebellion. It speaks to divine sovereignty, human agency, and the redemptive necessity of Jesus' suffering and humility, wherein the holy One is delivered into the control of the unholy for the salvation of all.

Matthew 26 45 Bonus section

• Pivotal Shift: This verse marks a distinct shift in Gethsemane. The time for desperate prayer and seeking disciples' vigilance is over. The moment for action, courage, and divine fulfillment has arrived. Jesus moves from internal agony to external resolve, preparing to face His destiny with full awareness.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: The declaration "the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners" is a summary of numerous Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 53) and Jesus' own repeated predictions of His suffering, particularly how He would be delivered into the hands of gentiles and sinners.
• Active vs. Passive Submission: Although the passive "is betrayed" highlights God's overarching plan, Jesus is an active participant in this submission. He does not resist. This willingness underscores His redemptive mission. He willingly enters the lion's den for humanity.
• The Weight of "Sinners": The term "sinners" carries a double meaning here. It describes those who are morally alienated from God and those considered ritually impure. Jesus, the epitome of righteousness, is given over to those representing the depths of human sin and worldly authority. This highlights the sacrificial nature of His upcoming passion.
• Lessons for Vigilance: The narrative of the disciples sleeping continues to serve as a perpetual reminder to believers of the need for spiritual alertness, continuous prayer, and empathetic solidarity with Christ's ongoing work and suffering, especially in critical times.

Matthew 26 45 Commentary

Matthew 26:45 stands as a critical hinge in the narrative of Christ's passion. Jesus, having successfully navigated His ultimate spiritual trial in prayer—submitting His will to the Father's—now finds Himself at a practical and poignant moment of transition. His initial Gethsemane plea for companionship and watchfulness is replaced by a resolute declaration of impending betrayal.

The disciples' continued spiritual slumber is not a sign of malice, but of profound human frailty, exhaustion, and perhaps an inability to fully grasp the spiritual warfare occurring. Jesus' question, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?", is less a harsh condemnation and more a final, mournful observation. It highlights their failure to remain vigilant, a stark contrast to Jesus' triumph in prayer.

The central announcement, "the hour is at hand," emphasizes that Jesus' passion is not a chaotic event, but a divinely orchestrated, predestined reality. The word "hour" (hora) here refers to the pivotal moment of His suffering, death, and the ultimate working out of redemption. It speaks to God's precise timing and sovereign control over seemingly tragic human events.

The phrase "the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners" underscores a powerful paradox. The Son of Man, Jesus' preferred title, embodies both His authentic humanity and His unique divine authority, a figure destined for glorious rule (Daniel 7:13-14). Yet, this very figure is now "delivered over" (paradidotai)—a divine passive verb, signifying not only Judas's treachery but also God's active, allowing will—into the hands of sinful humanity (the Jewish authorities, Roman soldiers). This delivery to "sinners" signifies Jesus' profound humility, His complete obedience to the Father, and His willingness to endure the ultimate shame and suffering from those who stood opposed to God, all for the sake of human redemption. This is the moment the suffering servant becomes tangible reality. From this point forward, Jesus no longer seeks companionship or asks for prayer; He acts with unwavering resolve to fulfill the Father's will and endure the cross.