14:32–42 This is another of the most well-known scenes from the Gospels, the subject of paintings and of countless sermons and meditations. The tradition that Jesus prayed fervently before his arrest is preserved in variant forms in John 17:1–18 and Hebrews 5:7, as well as in the parallels to the present account, Matthew 26:36–46 and Luke 22:40–46. As a final preparation before the rush of violent events to follow, Jesus withdraws to a quiet area just outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem for prayer. The two motifs that dominate the passage are Jesus’ obedience to God in spite of knowing what is to follow and the disciples’ continued failure to sense how important the moment at hand is.

The sentimental suggestion that Jesus sought from his disciples some comfort in the face of the coming …