Watch and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit, indeed, is willing; but the flesh is weak.
26:41 Watch and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. — Luke 22:40Jesus says this to everyone. At first he said, “Watch with me” (Matt 26:38); now it does not say that, but “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” yourselves. Jesus understood the danger of the devil’s temptation, as well as the weakness of man. If we do not pray and watch, there is danger of inadvertently entering into temptations that can destroy us. “Watch” means to be vigilant, to keep awake, waiting for temptations and trials and being on the alert (Matt 24:43; Matt 26:38; Matt 26:40-41). Compare Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Col 4:2; 1Thess 5:6; Rev 3:2-3; Rev 16:15. “Pray” means that we do not trust in ourselves but in God, and that we need help from Him to find the way out of all temptation (1Co 10:13) and to have the spiritual strength to withstand all trials. — so that you do not enter into temptation. – This explains Matt 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation.” In what sense could they enter into temptation? What temptation did she speak of? Although Jesus was very grieved, He cared for his apostles. Compare Joh 19:26-27Even on the cross he cared for his mother. Jesus prayed fervently and the apostles should pray too. — the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak — Jesus knew that the apostles believed in him and that they wanted to be faithful, but he also knew that their lives would soon be in great danger, that they would soon be subjected to strong temptations to forsake him and deny him. As the devil said about Job, “Skin for skin, all that a man has he will give for his life” (Job 2:4). Unfortunately this is the rule of life for many, but many disciples of Christ died instead of denying him.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
Watch and pray. Matt 24:42; Matt 25:13; Mar 13:33-37; Tue 14:38; Luke 21:36; Luke 22:40, Luke 22:46; 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:18; 1Pe 4:7; 1Pe 5:8; Rev 16:15.
so that you do not enter into temptation. Matt 6:13; Pro 4:14, Pro 4:15; Luke 8:13; Luke 11:4; 1Co 10:13; 2Pe 2:9; Rev 3:10.
the spirit indeed is willing. Ps 119:4, Ps 119:5, Ps 119:24, Ps 119:25, Ps 119:32, Ps 119:35-37, Ps 119:115, Ps 119:117, Ps 119:1; Isaiah 26:8, Isaiah 26:9; Romans 7:18-25; Romans 8:3; 1Co 9:27; Gal 5:16, Gal 5:17, Gal 5:24; Phil 3:12-14.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
The disciples needed to stay awake and pray because they were going to be tested. here the word meat emphasizes human weakness. The contrast between the weaknesses of the disciples and the strength of the Lord is striking. Because the meat is weakevery child of God needs a supernatural power (Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4).
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
meat is weak. The tenderness of this plea is touching. Christ himself was closely acquainted with human weaknesses, but without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). At that very moment he locked himself in a struggle against human passions, which, though not in themselves sinful, must be subjugated to the divine will if we wish to avoid sin. See the note on v.Matt 26:39.
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. — Luke 22:40, Jesus says this to everyone. At first he said, “Watch with me” (Matt 26:38); now he doesn’t say that, but “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” yourselves. Jesus understood the danger of the devil’s temptation, as well as the weakness of man. If we do not pray and watch, there is danger of inadvertently entering into temptations that can destroy us. “Watch” means to be vigilant, to stay awake, waiting for temptations and trials and being on the alert (Mat 24:43; Mat 26:38; Mat 26:40-41). Compare Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Col 4:2; 1Thess 5:6; Rev 3:2-3; Rev 16:15. “Pray” means that we do not trust in ourselves but in God, and that we need help from Him to find a way out of every temptation (1Co 10:13) and to have the spiritual strength to endure every trial.
— so that you do not enter into temptation. — This explains Mat 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation.” In what sense could they enter into temptation? What temptation did he speak of? Although Jesus was very grieved, He cared for his apostles. Compare Joh 19:26-27, even on the cross he cared for his mother. Jesus prayed fervently and the apostles should pray too.
— the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak — Jesus knew that the apostles believed in him and that they wanted to be faithful, but he also knew that their lives would soon be in great danger, that they would soon be subjected to strong temptations to forsake him and deny him. As the devil said about Job, “Skin for skin, all that a man has he will give for his life” (Job 2:4). Unfortunately this is the rule of life for many, but many disciples of Christ died instead of denying him.
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
Matt 6:13.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
CROSS-REFERENCES
i 1320 Mar 13:33; 1Pe 5:8; Rev 16:15
j 1321 Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12; Eph 6:18; 1Pe 4:7
k 1322 Matt 6:13; Luke 22:46
l 1323 Mar 14:38; Romans 7:23; Gal 5:17
Source: New World Translation
41 (1) Many times we are like that in spiritual things.
41 (a) Mar_13:33 ; Eph_6:18 ; 1Pe_4:7