Bible Strands
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Peter and the other disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane after finding them sleeping during His own prayer (Matt 26:40; 26:42).
The words — γρηγορεῖτε (grēgoreite) means "do watch" and προσεύχεσθε (proseuchesthe) means "do pray," forming a paired imperative command.
The thread — This directive to remain alert and pray to avoid temptation appears in parallel narratives at Luke 22:46 and Mark 14:38, and aligns with the broader New Testament instruction to pray in the Spirit at all times (Ephesians 6:18).
Why it lands — The text commands readers to couple vigilance with prayer to prevent entering temptation, explicitly noting that human frailty limits spiritual resolve.
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
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:46 “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”
- Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
- Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
- Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
- Luke 21:36 So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.