Matthew 26:43

43 Again he returned and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy.

Matthew 26:43 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 26:43

And he came and found them asleep again
For they were aroused and awaked, in some measure, by what he had said to them; but no sooner was he gone but they fell asleep again, and thus he found them a second time; or, "he came again and found them asleep"; so read the Vulgate Latin, the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel:

for their eyes were heavy;
with sleep through fatigue, sorrow Mark adds, "neither wist they what to answer him", ( Mark 14:40 ) ; they were so very sleepy, they knew not how to speak; or they were so confounded, that he should take them asleep a second time, after they had had such a reproof, and exhortation from him, that they knew not what answer to make him; who probably rebuked them again, or gave them a fresh exhortation.

Matthew 26:43 In-Context

41 Stay awake, and pray that you will not be put to the test -- the spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak."

42 A second time he went off and prayed. "My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it, let what you want be done."

43 Again he returned and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy.

44 Leaving them again, he went off and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

45 Then he came to the talmidim and said, "For now, go on sleeping, take your rest. . . . Look! The time has come for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.