And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (14:37-38)

On the human level, it must have been a terrible letdown! The Lord, back from a fearful spiritual struggle, came looking for companionship with those three friends of His whom He had invited to have the "fellowship of his sufferings" (Phil. 3:10). He came only to find them asleep. He challenged them, addressing Peter as the one who had boasted the loudest and longest about his loyalty even unto death. To arouse him even more, He called him by his old name -- Simon! He warned him. He must watch and pray for the good of his own soul. Forces were already afoot that would sift him like wheat to the core of his being. Then, with infinite compassion, He made allowance for their mortal frailty. The flesh was weak, they were only human, they could not possibly enter into His agony, although, in spirit, they were willing enough. More lonely than ever, He returned to His battle.

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And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (14:39)

This is an interesting sidelight on prayer. It does not always have to be original and inventive, always finding new ways to say the same things. Obviously, we must beware against "vain repetition," or allowing our prayers to become mechanical, repetitious, and dead. But no deadness was in His prayer. The onslaught was as fresh and as fierce as before, and the Lord's agony was just as intense. The prospect was as terrible as ever. New words would not have helped. The same words sufficed.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands ofsinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeeh me is at hand. (14:40-42)

Three times He went away to pray. Three times He came back to find the three disciples asleep. The poor fellows could not keep their eyes open, although He Himself had been in an agony too great for Him even to think of sleep. We learn elsewhere that the agony that He endured was so intense that He not only broke out in sweat but also sweated great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Indeed, an angel had to come and care for Him -- something that Peter could have done, no doubt, had he stayed awake. Satan seems to have tried to kill Him in Gethsemane.

When He returned the third time, He told the disciples that they might just as well finish their sleep. He was wide awake indeed. But He could see what they could not see: Judas consummating his deal with the priests.

Then Jesus said, "It is enough." This was a significant statement. According to one authority, that expression conveys the idea that "he is receiving" (i.e., the money promised in v. 11). The verb as used in the Papyri is the technical word for "giving a receipt."' So, the omniscient Christ could actually see Judas, at that very moment, receiving the blood money.

Shortly afterward, the sound of the approaching mob could be heard breaking the stillness of the night. Any moment now He, the Son of Man, would be delivered into the hands of these sinful men.

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Adapted from Exploring the Gospel of Mark: An Expository Commentary by John Phillips. Used by permission of Kregel Publications. The John Phillips Commentary Series from Kregel is available at your local or online Christian bookseller, or contact Kregel at (800) 733-2607.

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John Phillips is a popular preacher and Bible study leader who now resides in Bowling Green, KY.