Close scrutiny of Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts of Jesus at Gethsemane reveals numerous correspondences as well as some tell-tale differences. As laid out here, passages that occur (sometimes word-for-word) in both gospels appear side-by-side. Where there is no close parallel, we’ve inserted a line space.
According to Mark (14:26, 32–42) (14:26) And having sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (32) And they come into the plot of land the name of which was Gethsemane; and he says to his disciples, “Sit here
while I pray.” (33) And he takes along Peter, and James, and John with him, and he began to be greatly distraught and troubled. (34) And he says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful unto death. Remain here and keep on watching.” (35) And having gone forward a little, he was falling on the earth and was praying that
if it is possible the hour might pass from him. (36) And he was saying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take away this cup from me. But not what I will but what you (will).” (37) And he comes and finds them sleeping, and he says to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Were you not strong enough to watch one hour? (38) Keep ye watching and praying lest ye enter into trial. Indeed the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (39) And again having gone away, he prayed, saying the same word.
(40) And again having come, he found them sleeping; for their eyes were very burdened, and they did not know what they should answer him.
(41) And he comes the third time, and says to them, “Do you go on sleeping, then, and taking your rest? The money is paid. The hour has come. Behold the Son of Man is given over into the hands of sinners. (42) Get up; let us go! Behold the one who gives me over has come near.”
According to Matthew (26:30, 36–46) (26:30) And having sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (36) Then Jesus comes with them into the plot of land called Gethsemane; and he says to his disciples, “Sit in this place until, going away, I pray there.” (37) And having taken along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (38) Then he says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful unto death. Remain here and keep on watching with me.” (39) And having gone forward a little, he was falling on his face praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible,
let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will but as you (will).” (40) And he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping, and he says to Peter,
“So ye were not strong enough to watch one hour with me! (41) Keep ye watching and praying lest ye enter into trial. Indeed the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (42) Again, a second time, having gone away, he prayed, saying,
“My Father, if it is not possible for this to pass, let your will be done.” (43) And having come, again he found them sleeping; for their eyes were burdened.
(44) And having left them, again having gone away, he prayed a third time, saying the same word again. (45) Then he comes to the disciples, and says to them, “Do you go on sleeping, then, and taking your rest? Behold the hour has come near, and the Son of Man is given over into the hands of sinners. (46) Get up; let us go!
Behold, there has come near the one who gives me over.”
