Matthew 26:43

43 And again he came, and found them sleeping; for their eyes were heavied.

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 Wake ye, and pray ye, that ye enter not into temptation; for the spirit is ready, but the flesh is frail. [+Wake ye, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; forsooth the spirit is ready, but the flesh is sick, or unstable/either unsteadfast.]

42 Again the second time he went, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cup may not pass, but I drink it, thy will be done.

43 And again he came, and found them sleeping; for their eyes were heavied.

44 And he left them, and went again, and prayed the third time, and said the same word. [And them left, he went again, and prayed the third time, the same word saying.]

45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, Sleep ye now, and rest ye; lo! the hour hath approached, and man's Son shall be betaken into the hands of sinners; [+Then he came to his disciples, and saith to them, Sleep ye now, and rest ye; lo! the hour hath nighed, and man's Son shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners;]