What does Matthew 26:40 Mean?

Context Summary

In human life there is a close connection between our hymns and our olive-presses. We pass from the supper to the garden, from the emblems to the reality. But not all can enter into the fellowship of our Lord's unknown sufferings. Paul longed to do this that he might realize also the power of His resurrection, Philippians 3:10. Our Lord longs for the sympathy which will keep awake for love of Him, though it may not understand all that is in His heart!

Notice that though the cup seemed to be mixed and presented by human hands, our Lord refused to see in it these alone, but went behind them to the permissive will of God the Father. It is this thought that extracts bitterness from the bitterest cup. In the same sentence Jesus bade the disciples sleep on and arise. It was as though He knew and felt that though the past had gone beyond recall, yet further opportunities and testings were awaiting them and Him. These they would encounter and share in company. He is always saying to us, however unworthy-Let us be going. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 26

¹  Jesus foretells his own death
³  The rulers conspire against him
⁶  The woman anoints his feet
¹⁴  Judas bargains to betray him
¹⁷  Jesus eats the Passover;
²⁶  institutes his holy supper;
³⁰  foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
³⁶  prays in the garden;
⁴⁷  and being betrayed by a kiss,
⁵⁷  is carried to Caiaphas,
⁶⁹  and denied by Peter