JESUS’ PRAYER

Passage: Luke 22:24-46

Key verse: 27

NIV

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.(A) 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,(B) and the one who rules like the one who serves.(C) 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.(D) 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom,(E) just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom(F) and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(G)

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked(H) to sift all of you as wheat.(I) 32 But I have prayed for you,(J) Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”(K)

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”(L)

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals,(M) did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a];(N) and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(O)

39 Jesus went out as usual(P) to the Mount of Olives,(Q) and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”(R) 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down(S) and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup(T) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(U) 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.(V) 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[b]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”(W)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
  2. Luke 22:44 Many early manuscripts do not have verses 43 and 44.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Who Is the Greatest?

24 (A)A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 (B)And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles (C)exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 (D)But not so with you. Rather, let (E)the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, (F)one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But (G)I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are those who have stayed with me (H)in my trials, 29 and (I)I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 (J)that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and (K)sit on thrones judging (L)the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, (M)Satan demanded to have you,[a] (N)that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but (O)I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, (P)strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter[b] said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both (Q)to prison and (R)to death.” 34 (S)Jesus[c] said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus

35 And he said to them, (T)“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that (U)this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: (V)‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For (W)what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two (X)swords.” And he said to them, (Y)“It is enough.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 (Z)And he came out and went, (AA)as was his custom, to (AB)the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 (AC)And when he came to (AD)the place, he said to them, (AE)“Pray that you may not (AF)enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and (AG)knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, (AH)“Father, if you are willing, remove (AI)this cup from me. (AJ)Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him (AK)an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And (AL)being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[d] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and (AM)pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular
  2. Luke 22:33 Greek He
  3. Luke 22:34 Greek He
  4. Luke 22:44 Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The disciples argued about who was the greatest, although the time of Jesus’ suffering had come. He patiently taught them that those who are great are those who serve. Jesus came as the Son of God, yet he was a humble servant who laid down his life for sinners. Although the disciples may have thought they were qualified to be the greatest, they indeed were not. In fact, Peter, the top disciple, would deny his beloved master not once, but three times. Jesus gave this warning to prepare his disciples and told Peter to pray.

On the night of his betrayal, Jesus did not seek human comfort or ease. Instead, he sought the will of his Father. He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” He was honest but prayed earnestly until his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. He was about to take the cup of unbearable suffering. Jesus set an example for us. He fully submitted himself to God and found strength through the place of prayer. May we not be like the sleeping disciples but be awake and earnest to pray.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you came into this world to die for sinners. Help me to pray until your will is done in my life.

One Word: Not my will, but Yours be done