14:34a

Then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then is the most common Greek connector and is often translated as “and.” Here it introduces what happened next. Use a natural way in your language to do this.

He said to them: The Berean Standard Bible follows the order of the Greek and places the words He said to them before what Jesus said. The New International Version reverses the order and places this phrase at the end of the verse. Place the words He said to them where it is natural in your language.

My soul: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as My soul is a way for a person to refer to himself. People often used this expression to show deep emotion. Languages have different ways to express this. Some languages have idioms that use other parts of the body, such as the heart or liver, in a figurative way.

is consumed with sorrow: The phrase consumed with sorrow indicates that Jesus was extremely grieved and troubled. He was very sorrowful and upset. Use an idiom or expression to describe this type of intense sorrow in a natural way. For example:

I am very sorrowful.
-or-
The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. (Good News Bible)
-or-
Anguish is tearing me apart.

to the point of death: The phrase to the point of death indicates that Jesus was so sorrowful that he felt as if the grief might kill him.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

I feel as if I’m dying (God’s Word)
-or-
so that I am almost dying

14:34b

Stay here: The phrase Stay here indicates that Jesus wanted the disciples to remain where they were. He would go some distance away to pray, and they should stay in the same place and wait for him to return.

keep watch: In earlier parts of Mark, the Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as keep watch means to be alert and ready for whatever may happen. Here it also means “stay awake, do not go to sleep.” Jesus indicated that his disciples should remain awake and continue to be alert.

Paragraph 14:35–36

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