Mark 14:38

38 Wake ye, and pray ye, that ye enter not into temptation; for the spirit is ready, but the flesh is frail [forsooth the spirit is ready, but the flesh is sick].

Mark 14:38 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:38

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation
Of denying Christ, and falling off from him, which would quickly offer to them, when they should see him apprehended, bound, and led away.

The spirit truly is ready.
The Persic version renders it, "my mind"; as if the Spirit or soul of Christ was meant; whereas it is either to be understood of the evil spirit, Satan, who was disposed to attack them, and especially Peter, whom he desired to have, and sift as wheat; or else the spirit of the disciples, their renewed spirit, which was ready and disposed watching and praying, and willing to abide by Christ:

but the flesh is weak;
they were but flesh and blood, and so not a match of themselves for so powerful an adversary as Satan, and therefore had need to watch and pray; or "their body", as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it, was weak, and subject to drowsiness and sleep; and especially they were weak and feeble, and very unequal of themselves for spiritual exercises, as they had flesh, or a corrupt nature in them; (See Gill on Matthew 26:41).

Mark 14:38 In-Context

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things be possible to thee, bear over from me this cup; but not that I will, but that thou wilt, be done. [+And he said, Abba, Father, all things be possible to thee, turn from me this cup; but not that I will, but that thou wilt/but that that thou.]

37 And he came, and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter [And he saith to Peter], Simon, sleepest thou? mightest thou not wake with me one hour?

38 Wake ye, and pray ye, that ye enter not into temptation; for the spirit is ready, but the flesh is frail [forsooth the spirit is ready, but the flesh is sick].

39 And again he went, and prayed, and said the same word;

40 and he turned again, and again found them sleeping; for their eyes were heavied. And they knew not [And they wist not], what they should answer to him.