Matthew 26:37

“And he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, etc.] James and John, who perhaps were the strongest, and best able to bear the shocking sight, and were his favourite disciples; who were admitted to be with him at other times, when the rest were not; as at the raising of Jairus’s daughter, (<410537>Mark 5:37), and moreover, these were at his transfiguration on the mount, (<401701>Matthew 17:1), which was a representation and presage of his glory; and so were very proper persons to be witnesses of his sorrows and agonies, which were the way to it; and three of them were taken by him for this purpose, being a sufficient number to bear testimony, since by the mouth of two or three…”

“Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane - This account is also recorded in Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1. Matthew 26:36 Then cometh ... - After the institution of the Lord’s Supper, in the early part of the night, he went out to the Mount of Olives. In his journey he passed over the brook Cedron John 18:1, which bounded Jerusalem on the east. Unto a place - John calls this “a garden.” This garden was on the western side of the Mount of Olives, and a short distance from Jerusalem. The word used by John means not properly a garden for the cultivation of vegetables, but a place planted with the olive and other trees, perhaps with a fountain of water, and with walks and groves; a proper place of…”

“And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - To be witnesses of all; he began to be sorrowful and in deep anguish - Probably from feeling the arrows of the Almighty stick fast in his soul, while God laid on him the iniquities of us all. Who can tell what painful and dreadful sensations were then impressed on him by the immediate hand of God? The former word in the original properly signifies, to be penetrated with the most exquisite sorrow; the latter to be quite depressed, and almost overwhelmed with the load. Matthew 26:39”

“26:37 He took Peter . . . James and John: These three, apparently the leaders of the apostles, received special revelation (17:1-13) and accompanied Jesus in this difficult hour. • Jesus became anguished and distressed from contemplating the Father’s plan for him, to absorb God’s wrath toward humans for their sin (see 27:45-46).”

“Peter: Mat 4:18, Mat 4:21, Mat 17:1, Mat 20:20; Mar 5:37 sorrowful: Mar 14:33, Mar 14:34; Luk 22:44; Joh 12:27 Matthew 26:38”