Mark 14:37-38 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “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.”

How had Peter responded to Jesus’ words, “Truly, I tell you, this every night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times” (Mark 14:30)?

“But he said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And they all said the same” (Mark 14:31).

What two imperatives does Jesus give to Peter, James, and John before He goes a little further to pray?

“…Remain here and watch” (Mark 14:34).

μείνατε – remain, stay (BDAG, 630)

γρηγορεῖτε – stay awake, be watchful, be in constant readiness, be on alert (BDAG, 208).

What does Jesus find and say when He comes?

“And he came and found them sleeping and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?” (Mark 14:37).

What two imperatives does Jesus give before He goes a second time to pray?

“Watch and pray…” (Mark 14:38).

γρηγορεῖτε – stay awake, be watchful, be in constant readiness, be on alert (BDAG, 208).

προσεύχεσθε – to petition deity, pray (BDAG, 879).

What clause introduced by the Greek Ἵνα explains the purpose for Jesus’ command to “Watch and pray…” (14:38)?

“…that you may not enter into temptation (πειρασμόν).” (Mark 14:38).

πειρασμός – an attempt to make one do something wrong, temptation, enticement to sin (BDAG, 793).

What are contrasted in “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38)?

spirit (πνεῦμα) – a part of human personality, spirit, (when used with  σάρξ, the flesh, it denotes the immaterial part [2 Cor 7:1; Col 2:5]. Flesh and spirit=the whole personality, in its outer and inner aspects) (BDAG, 833).

flesh (σάρξ) -  the physical body as functioning entity, body, physical. “In Paul’s thought especially, all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σάρξ or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likewise present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ (Rom 7:18). (BDAG, 914)

What adjective does Jesus use to describe spirit (πνεῦμα)?

Willing (Mark 14:38).

πρόθυμος – being eager to be of service, ready, willing, eager, of the spirit (BDAG, 870).

What adjective does Jesus use to describe flesh (σάρξ)?

Weak (Mark 14:38)

ἀσθενής – of that which lacks strength: ‘weak, powerless’ (BDAG, 142).

What does Jesus command in order that “you may not enter into temptation…”?

Watch and pray

Abba Father,

Your nature is divine and Your power is eternal. You are incorruptible, immortal, God only wise. All things are possible for You. We confess our utter dependence on You for strength to withstand temptation, for though our spirit may be willing, our flesh is weak. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Rom 7:18). May we walk by the Holy Spirit so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.