Section 14:32–42

Jesus prayed in a place called Gethsemane

The conversation in the preceding section occurred while Jesus and the disciples were walking toward the Mount of Olives (14:26–27). In this section, they came to a place where there were olive trees. This place was called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples to pray that God would give them strength not to sin. Jesus also prayed that he himself would do what his heavenly Father wanted him to do, rather than what he himself wanted.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus prayed in the garden called Gethsemane
-or-
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane
-or-
Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 26:36–46 and Luke 22:39–46.

Paragraph 14:32–34

14:32a

Then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is the most common Greek connector. Here it introduces a new event. The events in this paragraph begin immediately after the events in the preceding paragraph. Introduce the new event in a natural way in your language. In some languages, it is natural to begin a new part of the story with a time word. Here are some other ways to translate this:

After that
-or-
And (English Standard Version)

they came: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came is literally “come.” It can also be translated as “arrived.” Use a verb that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

they walked to
-or-
they arrived at
-or-
they reached (Revised English Bible)

they: The word they refers to Jesus and his disciples.

a place called Gethsemane: Gethsemane was the name of a place on the Mount of Olives where there were many olive trees. People had planted these trees and continued to care for them.

The Gospel of John refers to Gethsemane as a garden. So here is one way to translate this:

They went to a garden called Gethsemane.

If the word “garden” in your language refers primarily to a vegetable garden, it may be better not to use that word.

14:32b

Jesus told His disciples: In this part of the verse the phrase His disciples does not refer to all the disciples. In 14:33a Jesus told Peter, James, and John to go with him apart from the other eight disciples. This implies that he told the others to sit down in a particular place. In some languages it may be necessary to indicate that Jesus was not speaking to all of his disciples here. For example:

Jesus said to some of his disciples

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example. In the New Testament disciples often lived with their teacher and followed him wherever he went.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

students/learners
-or-
apprentices
-or-
followers

See how you translated this term at 2:15b. See also disciple in the Glossary for more information.

Sit here while I pray: Here Jesus told some of his disciples to sit and wait for him while he prayed. Express this request in an appropriate way in your language. In some languages it may be natural in this request to address the disciples as “friends,” or “my disciples.” For example:

Friends, as for you,(plur) sit(plur) here. I will go farther and pray.
-or-
Stay(plur) here, my disciples. As for me, I will go farther and pray.

while I pray: In this context the phrase while I pray implies “until I finish praying.” Another way to say this is:

Sit(plur) here. I will go pray.

pray: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pray means “speak to God.” Some languages use different words to refer to specific kinds of prayer, such as requests, thanks, or praise. If your language has different words for pray, here you should use the word or phrase that means “request” or “ask.” For example:

Ask/Beg God
-or-
Request from/of God

Avoid a term that may imply magical or meaningless words.

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