Matt 26:36-46
The New Testament > Matthew > Chapter 26
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Questions
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Lexical notes
Verse 41
- "spirit": pneu^ma (Greek) term is used widely to refer to the Holy Ghost (as in Matt 28:19 "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost") as well as other kinds of spirits: the unclean spirits in Matt 12:43, Matt 5:3's "poor in Spirit", when Christ "yielded up the ghost" in Matt 27:50, etc. More thorough definitions showing the usage of "spirit" are found at Net.Bible.org. and Blue Letter Bible.org
Exegesis
Verse 41
"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Jesus may have intended three different meanings:
1) The spirit of God, which motivates the disciples to follow Jesus, is active (i.e. willing), but the disciples themselves are physically tired and unable to stay awake (i.e. weak). This reads as if Jesus was excusing their behavior.
2) The spirit of God is active within the Church upon the earth, (see, e.g.Ephesians 4:4-16) but the Apostles, who represent the Church here, are not up to the task. This reads as the Lord chastising and warning his disciples.
3) Jesus may have been referring to himself: his divine nature was willing to do the will of the Father, but his mortal nature was nearly overwhelmed. This reads as Jesus reiterating his plea for support (vs. 38-40).
The context of the phrase supports 1 and/or 2, but 3 is nevertheless a possibly intentional double-meaning.
Verse 44
See 3 Nephi 19:16-20 Discussion page for parallels/contrasts between Christ and his apostles at Gethsemane and Christ and His disciples at Bountiful.
Related links
Verse 41
Several General Conference talks have cited verse 41 "the spirit is willing ..." including:
- Haight, David B. Young Women - Real Guardians October, 1977. ("The Saviour know so well our weaknesses.");
- Tanner, N. Eldon. Why is my boy wandering tonight? October, 1974.(weakness of character); and
- Sill, Sterling W. Conference Report April, 1965. ("Jesus referred to this antagonism as "'the spirit and the flesh'").
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