THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 26 - Verse 41

Verse 41. Watch. See Mt 26:38. Greater trials are coming on. It is necessary, therefore, still to be on your guard.

And pray. Seek aid from God by supplication in view of the thickening calamities.

That ye enter not into temptation. That ye be not overcome and oppressed with these trials of your faith, so as to deny me. The word temptation here properly means, what would try their faith in the approaching calamities his rejection and death. It would try their faith, because though they supposed he was the Messiah, they were not very clearly aware of the necessity of his death; they did not fully understand that he was to rise again. They had cherished the belief that he was to establish a kingdom while he lived. When they should see him, therefore rejected, tried, crucified, dead; when they should see him submit to all this, as if he had not power to deliver himself, then would be the trial of their faith; and in view of it, he exhorted them to pray that they might not so enter temptation as to be overcome by it, and fall.

The spirit indeed is willing, etc. The mind, the disposition is ready, and disposed to bear these trials; but the flesh, the natural feelings, through the fear of danger, is weak, and will be likely to lead you astray when the trial comes. Though you may have strong faith, and believe now that you will not deny me, yet human nature is weak, shrinks at trials, and you should, therefore seek strength from on high. This was not intended for an apology for their sleeping, but to excite them, notwithstanding he knew that they loved him, to be on guard, lest the weakness of human nature should be insufficient to sustain them in the hour of their temptation.

{m} "Watch" Mr 13:33; 14:38; Lu 22:40; Eph 6:18; Re 16:15

{n} "ye enter" Pr 4:14,15 {o} "into temptation" Re 3:10 {p} "spirit indeed" Isa 26:8,9; Ro 7:18-25; Ga 5:17