Lukas 22:43

43 And a malach min HaShomayim appeared to him, strengthening him.

Lukas 22:43 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 22:43

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven
Whether this was Michael the archangel, as some have conjectured, or Gabriel, or what particular angel, is not for us to know, nor is it of any importance: it is certain, it was a good angel: "an angel of God", as the Ethiopic version reads; since he came from heaven, and was one of the angels of heaven, sent by God on this occasion; and it is clear also, that he was in a visible form, and was seen by Christ, since he is said to appear to him: strengthening him;
under his present distress, against the terrors of Satan, and the fears of death, by assuring him of the divine favour, as man, and of the fulfilment of the promises to him to stand by him, assist, strengthen, and carry him through what was before him; and by observing to him the glory and honour he should be crowned with, after his sufferings and death, find the complete salvation of his people, which would be obtained hereby, and which was the joy set before him; and which animated him, as man, to bear the cross, and despise the shame with a brave and heroic Spirit. Now, though God the Father could have strengthened the human nature of Christ, without making use of an angel; and Christ could have strengthened it himself, by his divine nature, to which it was united; but the human nature was to be brought into so low a condition, and to be left to itself, as to stand in need of the assistance of an angel: and this shows not only the ministration of angels to Christ, as man, but that he was at this present time made a little lower than the angels, who was the Creator and Lord of them; as he afterwards more apparently was, through the sufferings of death.

Lukas 22:43 In-Context

41 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach had withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and, having fallen down, he was davening,

42 Saying, Avi, im yirtzeh Hashem, if You are willing, take this kos (cup) away from me. Nevertheless not the ratzon of me but rtzonechah (Thy will) be done. (Mt. 6:10)

43 And a malach min HaShomayim appeared to him, strengthening him.

44 And having been in agony, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was davening more fervently; and his sweat became like drops of dahm falling down upon the adamah.

45 And having got up from davening and having come to the talmidim, he found them sleeping, because of agmat nefesh (grief).