Bible Strands
Mark 14:32
Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus arrives with His disciples at a location named Gethsemane and commands them to remain there while He goes to pray. This instruction follows immediately after Peter's bold declaration of loyalty and the agreement of the other disciples.
The words — The Greek noun χωρίον (chōrion) literally translates to "a place" or "enclosed plot," specifying the geographical destination. The verb ἔρχονται (erchontai) is present tense, denoting the ongoing action of "they come" or "they arrive."
The thread — The progression from arrival to solitary prayer runs directly into the account of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John forward in Mark 14:33. The location and prayer motif connect to the psalmist's cry of entanglement in Psalms 18:5 and culminate in Jesus' subsequent prayers recorded in Mark 14:36 and Mark 14:39.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to note Jesus' deliberate physical separation from His followers to engage in direct communion with the Father. It establishes a procedural priority of solitary prayer over group reassurance when confronting imminent trial.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Cross-references
- Psalms 18:5 The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
- Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
- Mark 14:39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing.
- Psalms 22:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?
- Psalms 88:1 A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.
- Psalms 109:4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
- Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
- Luke 22:39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.
- John 18:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden.