Big Idea: At Gethsemane Jesus battles with the disciples as they desert him, within himself over the “cup” of his passion, and with his enemies at his arrest. He wins the internal battle regarding his willingness to endure the passion and its suffering, surrendering to the will of his Father.

Understanding the Text

Chapter 14 follows a natural chronological progression, from the Wednesday event of Judas’s decision to betray Jesus (vv. 1–2, 10–11) to the Last Supper on Thursday evening, when Jesus makes the significance and meaning of his coming paschal sacrifice known to his disciples (vv. 12–31). The final events take place during the night, as Thursday becomes Friday: Gethsemane (vv. 32–42), where his victory is contrasted with the disciples’ defeat; the arrest (vv. 43–52), where his b…