THE MOUNT OF OLIVES / GETHSEMANE / THE ARREST OF JESUS

After he had said all this, Jesus left with the disciples and crossed the Kidron valley to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, to a plot of land where there was a garden called Gethsemane. Judas the traitor knew the place also, since Jesus had often met his disciples there. Jesus said to his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James, and John, with him. Beginning to feel sadness, terror, and anguish, he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me. Pray not to be put to the test." Going on a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by. "Abba, Father!" he said, "For you everything is possible. If you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine." He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? So, you had not the strength to stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake, and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing enough, but human nature is weak." Again, a second time, in his anguish he went away and prayed even more earnestly, saying the same words, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. "My Father," he said, "if this cup cannot pass by, but I must drink it, your will be done!" In addition, he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy; and they could find no answer for him. Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words. Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, "You can sleep on now and have your rest. It is all over. Look, the hour has come when the Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up and pray not to be put to the test! Let us go! Look, my betrayer is not far away." While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a large number of men and guards armed with clubs, lanterns, swords, and torches sent by the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people. Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them saying, "The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him, and see he is well guarded when you lead him away." Therefore, he went up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi," and kissed him. Jesus said, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?" Knowing everything that was to happen to him, Jesus came forward and said, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said, "I am he." Now Judas the traitor was standing among them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they moved back and fell on the ground. He asked them a second time, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus replied, "I have told you that I am he. If I am the one you are looking for, let these others go." This was to fulfill the words he had spoken, "Not one of those you gave me have I lost." Jesus said to him, "My friend, do what you are here for." Seeing what was about to happen, his followers asked, "Lord, shall we use our swords?" Suddenly, Simon Peter, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. However, at this Jesus said to Peter, "That is enough! Put your sword back in its scabbard; am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" In addition, touching the man’s ear he healed him. Jesus then said, "Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. On the other hand, do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defense? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?" Then they came forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him, "Am I a bandit that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? When I was among you teaching in the Temple day after day, you never made a move to lay hands on me. However, this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness. This is to fulfill the scriptures." Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away. A young man followed with nothing on but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the cloth in their hands and ran away naked. (Amos 2:16)

Return