Luke 22:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

NIV: And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

NASB: And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground].

CSB: Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

NLT: He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

KJV: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

NKJV: And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Given what has happened (Luke 22:43), one would expect Jesus' weeping to lessen. He is praying on the Mount of Olives while the disciples give in to sleep. With great anguish, He has asked Father God to do something, make some kind of change, so He doesn't have to die under the weight of humanity's sin. He honestly expresses what His human nature feels (Hebrews 4:15) even as He remains totally committed to the Father's will.

Then an angel arrives to strengthen Him (Luke 22:39–43). Jesus' prayers become more fervent. Mark says, "And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words" (Mark 14:39). He is still praying that God the Father will make a way. He knows there is no escape from the cross (Luke 13:33), and He goes willingly (John 10:18), but that doesn't make it easy.

Meanwhile, the disciples are sleeping. Jesus is especially concerned with Peter. Matthew and Mark describe Jesus going away from the disciples to pray three times, finding them asleep after each return (Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42). The first time, Jesus says, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:37–38). Ideally, Peter should follow Jesus' example: pray that He may remain loyal to his calling.

Jesus doesn't stay here, though. When it is time, He rises, wakes the disciples, and greets the crowd who has come to arrest Him (Luke 22:45–47).

Luke says, "his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground." The word "like" suggests that the sweat merely appeared similar to drops of blood. That would mean Luke is foreshadowing Jesus' impending, bloody death. Others suggest Jesus may have experienced hematohidrosis. In this rare condition, small blood vessels around the sweat glands rupture and blood comes out of the sweat gland. It can be caused by extreme physical exertion, fear, or psychological distress.

Like Luke 22:43, this verse is not found in the earliest manuscripts of the gospel of Luke.

Luke 22:39–46 is a summarized account of Jesus' prayers at the Mount of Olives. He and the disciples have finished the Passover meal. There, Jesus warned them of coming trials. The disciples argued over who was best (Luke 22:14–30). Now, Jesus expresses sincere apprehension about the crucifixion. Yet He humbly submits to His Father's plan. He knows who He is and why He was sent: only He can save the world. Meanwhile, the disciples sleep instead of praying that their faith will keep them from temptation. Matthew 26:36–46, Mark 14:32–42, and John 18:1 also record Jesus' time in the garden.

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.