SEV Biblia, Chapter 26:40
Y vino a sus discípulos, y los hall durmiendo, y dijo a Pedro: ¿Así no habis podido velar conmigo una hora?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 26:40
Verse 40. He-saith unto Peter] He addressed himself more particularly to this apostle, because of the profession he had made, ver. 33; as if he had said: "Is this the way you testify your affectionate attachment to me? Ye all said you were ready to die with me; what, then, cannot you watch ONE hour?" Instead of ouk iscusate, could YE not, the Codex Alexandrinus, the later Syriac in the margin, three of the Itala, and Juvencus, read ouk iscusav, couldst THOU not- referring the reproach immediately to Peter, who had made the promises mentioned before.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 40. And he cometh unto the disciples , etc.] The three he took with him, Peter, James, and John, after he had finished his prayer; and findeth them asleep : many things might contribute to, and bring this drowsiness upon them; as the great fatigue they had had in preparing the passover in the day, the plentiful meal they had eaten at night, though without excess, and the lateness of the night, it being now probably midnight; but the chief reason of their sleepiness was their sorrow, as is expressed in ( Luke 22:45), what Christ had said to them of his soul troubles, and what they saw in him, had filled their hearts with sorrow, which brought on them an amazement and stupidity of mind; and this issued in sleep. We have other instances of persons in excessive grief and trouble falling asleep, as Elijah in ( 1 Kings 19:4,5), and Jonah in (Jon 1:5), so that this did not arise from a secure, lazy, indolent frame of spirit; or from any disregard to Christ, and neglect of him, and unconcernedness for him; but from their great sorrow of heart; for, the trouble and distress that he was in, added to the causes above mentioned. Though some have thought, that Satan might be, concerned in it, who induced this sleepiness, or increased it, that he might the more easily surprise them with his temptations, he was preparing for them, which I will not deny. Now, though this sleep was natural bodily sleep, which the disciples fell into, yet was an emblem of, and carried in it a resemblance to, the spiritual sleep and drowsiness of the people of God; for as this was after a delightful entertainment and conversation with Christ at the passover and Lords supper, so it sometimes is, that the children of God fall into a sleepy frame of soul, after much communion with Christ, as the church did in ( Song of Solomon 5:1, 2), and as this sleep befell them, when Christ was withdrawn a little space from them; so it was with the church, when her beloved was absent from her, ( Song of Solomon 3:1 5:2), and with the wise virgins when the bridegroom tarried, ( Matthew 25:6), and as this was not an entire thorough sleep; they knew all the while what Christ was doing, and could relate, as they have done, the circumstances of it; so the children of God, when asleep, they are not like unregenerate persons, in a dead sleep of sin, that hear, and see, and feel, and know nothing; but though they are asleep, their hearts are awake, as was the churchs, ( Song of Solomon 5:2), yet as the disciples were so much asleep, that the bare words of Christ did not arouse them from it for a while; so such is the sleep of the saints sometimes, that they are not to be aroused by the bare ministry of the word, though the most powerful arguments, and the most moving and melting language are made use of, as were with the church, ( Song of Solomon 5:2-4), and saith unto Peter, what! could ye not watch with me one hour ? This was said particularly to Peter, because he had so lately, in such a confident manner, declared, that he would not be offended with Christ, but abide with him, stand by him, and even die with him, was there an occasion for it; and yet, in so short a space of time, was fallen asleep, as were the rest who said the same things also: and it is as if Christ should say, how will you be able to stand by me throughout this night, when ye cannot watch with me so much as one hour, though I so earnestly desired you to tarry here, and watch with me, and you saw in what distress I was in? how will you be able to withstand the temptations that will beset you quickly, and perform your promises of love, fidelity, constancy, and close attachment to me, in the greatest dangers, when you cannot keep yourselves awake one hour for my sake?
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 36-46 - He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted himself in garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which man had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him into that part of the garde where he suffered his agony, only those who had witnessed his glory in his transfiguration. Those are best prepared to suffer with Christ, wh have by faith beheld his glory. The words used denote the most entir dejection, amazement, anguish, and horror of mind; the state of on surrounded with sorrows, overwhelmed with miseries, and almos swallowed up with terror and dismay. He now began to be sorrowful, an never ceased to be so till he said, It is finished. He prayed that, i possible, the cup might pass from him. But he also showed his perfec readiness to bear the load of his sufferings; he was willing to submi to all for our redemption and salvation. According to this example of Christ, we must drink of the bitterest cup which God puts into ou hands; though nature struggle, it must submit. It should be more ou care to get troubles sanctified, and our hearts satisfied under them than to get them taken away. It is well for us that our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of entering into temptation. To be secure from this, we should watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lor to hold us up that we may be safe. Doubtless our Lord had a clear an full view of the sufferings he was to endure, yet he spoke with the greatest calmness till this time. Christ was a Surety, who undertook to be answerable for our sins. Accordingly he was made sin for us, an suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust; and Scripture ascribe his heaviest sufferings to the hand of God. He had full knowledge of the infinite evil of sin, and of the immense extent of that guilt for which he was to atone; with awful views of the Divine justice an holiness, and the punishment deserved by the sins of men, such as n tongue can express, or mind conceive. At the same time, Christ suffere being tempted; probably horrible thoughts were suggested by Satan tha tended to gloom and every dreadful conclusion: these would be the mor hard to bear from his perfect holiness. And did the load of impute guilt so weigh down the soul of Him of whom it is said, He upholdet all things by the word of his power? into what misery then must thos sink whose sins are left upon their own heads! How will those escap who neglect so great salvation?
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ερχεται 2064 5736 V-PNI-3S προς 4314 PREP τους 3588 T-APM μαθητας 3101 N-APM και 2532 CONJ ευρισκει 2147 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτους 846 P-APM καθευδοντας 2518 5723 V-PAP-APM και 2532 CONJ λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S τω 3588 T-DSM πετρω 4074 N-DSM ουτως 3779 ADV ουκ 3756 PRT-N ισχυσατε 2480 5656 V-AAI-2P μιαν 1520 A-ASF ωραν 5610 N-ASF γρηγορησαι 1127 5658 V-AAN μετ 3326 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
40. What! It is hardly possible to convey the exact force of the Greek outwv, thus or so. The idea is, "are ye thus unable, or so utterly unable to watch?"
Robertson's NT Word Studies
26:40 {What} (houtws). The Greek adverb is not interrogation or exclamatory ti, but only "so" or "thus." There is a tone of sad disappointment at the discovery that they were asleep after the earnest plea that they keep awake (verse #38). "Did you not thus have strength enough to keep awake one hour?" Every word struck home.
