The repetitions in Mark’s account of the Agony suggest to author Jerome Murphy-O’Connor that Mark was working from two earlier sources, referred to here as A and B. Mark apparently felt that he should not omit anything found in his sources, and thus combined them. Luke, too, had access to Sources A and B and tried to be faithful to them, but he strove to avoid repetition. That is one reason why his account is so much shorter than Mark’s.
Sources A and B are reconstituted in full at left. The phrases and ideas Luke borrowed from these sources appear in italics.
As Luke wove together passages from Sources A and B, he sometimes altered the phrasing and the order. So that you can see precisely what changes Luke made, in the central column we’ve isolated the passages that Luke adapted from Sources A and B and aligned them, side-by-side, with the originals (in italics in the left column).
In the right column, we see Luke’s full gospel account of the Agony, with the material he borrowed from A and B in italics.
The Sources of Mark and Luke (derived from Mark 14:26, 32–42)
What Luke Took from the Sources
Luke’s Finished Account
Source A
Luke’s Use of Source A
Luke 22:39–46
(14:26b) They went out to the Mount of Olives. (32b) And he says to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” (33b) And he began to be greatly distraught and troubled. (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. (40) Having come [],ahe found them sleeping, for their eyes were very burdened. (41) [] And he says to them, “Do you go on sleeping, then, and taking your rest? The money is paid. The hour has come. [] (42) Get up; let us go. Behold the one who gives me over has come near.”
Source B (14:32a) They come to the plot of land the name of which was Gethsemane. (33a) And he takes along Peter, and James, and John with him. (34) And he says to them, “My soul is very sorrowful unto death. Remain here and keep watching.” (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? Where 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.” (40b) And they did not know what they should answer him.
(22:39a)to the Mount of Olives (39b) the disciples
(44) Being in agony…his sweat became as if drops of blood falling down to the earth (41) he drew away from them as if a stone’s throw
(42b) if you desire (45) he found them asleep for sorrow (46) Why do you sleep?
(46b) having stood up
Luke’s Use of Source B
(22:42a) Father (42c) Take away this cup from me (42d) Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done
(40) Keep on praying not to enter into trial (46) Keep on praying lest ye enter into trial
(22:39) And having gone out, he proceeded according to his custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples too followed him. (40) And being at the place, he said to them, “Keep on praying not to enter into trial.” (41) And he drew away from them as if a stone’s throw; and having knelt he was praying, (42) saying, “Father, if you desire, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” (43) But an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. (44) And being in agony, he was praying more earnestly. And his sweat became as if drops of blood falling down to the earth. (45) And having stood up from prayer, having come to the disciples, he found them asleep for sorrow; (46) and he said to them, “Why do you sleep? Having stood up, keep on praying lest you enter into trial.”
