JESUS' PRAYERS IN GETHSEMANE: STUDY QUESTIONS

Hall Memorial CME Church

PRAYER

Bible Study: JESUS PRAYS IN GETHSEMANE

Matthew, Mark & Luke describe Jesus’ passion & agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Read and compare the three passages.
Matthew 26: 36-47
Mark 14: 32-42
Luke 22: 39-47

1. Consider John 18: 1; Luke 22: 39; & Mark 14: 32; Matthew 26: 36. Where did Jesus and His disciples go after the last Supper? Why?

2. In the garden as on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9) Jesus takes His 11/12 closest friends with Him. He brings his 3 closest friends aside with Him away from the other 8/9 disciples. Then He leaves the 3 to go off a little distance to pray alone. What lessons can we draw about prayer “circles” from Jesus’ example?

3. Matthew 26: 37, 38; Mark 14 : 33,34. Describe Jesus’ state of mind in the Garden of Gethsemane.

4. How many times does Jesus pray in Gethsemane? Give the verse references from
a. Matthew 26: _______
b. Mark 14: _______
c. Luke 22: _______

5. The first time Jesus goes aside to pray, what instructions does He give to Peter, James, and John? Give the verse reference(s).

6. The 2nd time Jesus goes aside to pray, what instructions does He give to Peter, James, and John? Give the verse reference(s).

7. What did Peter, James , and John do while Jesus was praying? Why? Consider Luke 22: 45 and compare with Luke 9: 32 .

8. The 3rd time Jesus returns to Peter, James, and John, what instructions does He give? Give the verse reference(s).

9. Consider Matthew 26: 41; Mark 14: 38; Luke 22: 40. Whom does Jesus ask the disciples to pray for?

10. Read Luke 22: 40; Mark 14: 38; & Matthew 26: 41. There are two possible meanings of the phrase “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.
a. Ask God to keep you out of temptation.
b. Pray because the act of praying will keep you out of temptation.

Which do you think was Jesus’ intention? Why?

11. What does Jesus pray for Himself? Give the verse references from
a. Matthew

b. Mark

c. Luke

12. What is the cup/hour Jesus doesn’t want to receive? (Compare with Mark 10: 37-39.)

13. If Jesus didn’t want to go drink from the cup, why did He? What are the implications for us? (Matt 26: 53)

14. Explain the term “Abba, Father.” Consider Mark 14:36 ; Romans 8:15; & Galatians 4:6.

15. How does God answer Jesus’ prayer in Luke 22: 43.

Read this article from Wikipedia:
Cutaneous hemorrhage- According to Dr. Frederick Zugibe (Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York) it is well-known, and there have been many cases of it. The clinical term is hematohidrosis. "Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form. Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands. As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat\
In a lecture, Dr. Zugibe stated: "The severe mental anxiety...activated the sympathetic nervous system to invoke the stress-fight or flight reaction to such a degree causing hemorrhage of the vessels supplying the sweat glands into the ducts of the sweat glands and extruding out onto the skin. While hematidrosis has been reported to occur from other rare medical entities, the presence of profound fear accounted for a significant number of reported cases including six cases in men condemned to execution, a case occurring during the London blitz, a case involving a fear of being raped, a fear of a storm while sailing, etc. The effects on the body is that of weakness and mild to moderate dehydration from the severe anxiety and both the blood and sweat loss."
Another effect is that the skin become extremely tender and fragile, so that any pressure or damage to the skin is more than ordinarily painful

16. What does this medical explanation add to your understanding of Luke 22: 44.

17. List at least 3 principles of prayer you learn from Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane.