What is the story of the Garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was arrested?

what does the bible say?

After the Last Supper, Jesus took His disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. He had them sit in one spot while He went to another to pray, taking three of the disciples—Peter, James, and John—with Him. He prayed in deep distress, asking God if possible to avoid the impending suffering but ultimately submitting to God's will. Meanwhile, Peter, James, and John fell asleep despite Jesus' request for them to keep watch. Judas then arrived with a crowd to arrest Jesus, betraying Him with a kiss. When Peter reacted by cutting off a servant's ear, Jesus rebuked him and healed the servant. Jesus' submission, even in great anguish, serves as an example to us of trusting and following God's will amidst adversity.

from the old testament

The story of the garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was arrested does not occur in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

The story of the Garden of Gethsemane can be found in Matthew 26:36–56, Mark 14:32–52, Luke 22:39–53, and John 18:1–11.After the Last Supper in the Upper Room, Judas left to notify the chief priests that Jesus would be vulnerable. Jesus led His remaining disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. The garden, possibly an olive grove ("gethsemane" means "oil press"), was located on the side of the Mount of Olives. John 18:1 describes the area as "across the brook Kidron."Once Jesus and the disciples arrived, Jesus took Peter, James, and John—His core three followers—with Him and asked them to stay with Him. He told them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me" (Matthew 26:38). Jesus, then, went a little farther, fell to His face, and, in agony, asked God to find another way. His sweat fell like drops of blood; God sent an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43–44). While Jesus wept in anguish, Peter, James, and John fell asleep.Jesus returned to the three and woke them up. "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41). Again He prayed, humbly and actively submitting to the will of God. The disciples fell asleep again.When Jesus found them sleeping again, He again returned to prayer, reiterating His distress of what He must do as well as His willingness. Then He returned to His disciples and woke them, saying, " Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand" (Matthew 26:46).As Jesus spoke, Judas arrived, followed by a large number of men with swords, lanterns, and clubs—a Roman cohort (of three hundred to six hundred men) as well as officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. Judas called to Him—calling Him "Rabbi" or teacher—and kissed Him, a traditional greeting at the time.Jesus asked the soldiers who they were looking for. When they said "Jesus of Nazareth," Jesus responded, "I am he." In response, the guards and soldiers drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:4–6).Jesus submitted to the mob, but His disciples did not. One asked if they should fight back (Luke 22:49). Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant (Luke 22:50; John 18:10). Jesus rebuked Peter, saying "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" (John 18:11). Matthew records it this way: "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" (Matthew 26:52–54). Jesus also healed Malchus' ear (Luke 22:51).Jesus pointed out the cowardice of the mob, that they came to confront one unarmed man in the dead of night instead of taking Him in the day where the people could see. But, as He did in His prayer, He acknowledged that this was God's plan (Matthew 26:55–56; Luke 22:52–53). Each member of the mob was responsible for his own choice, but Jesus would not struggle against God's instruction.As the guards took Jesus away, the disciples ran (Mark 14:50). A young man, perhaps Mark, "followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked" (Mark 14:51–52).

implications for today

The story of the garden of Gethsemane illustrates submitting to God's will amidst intense personal suffering. Jesus, acutely aware of the impending pain and sacrifice, prayed earnestly for an alternative. His heartfelt plea, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39), reveals His human vulnerability and divine obedience. Despite His deep anguish, marked by His sweat falling like drops of blood, Jesus ultimately chose to follow God's plan. While is natural to experience fear, we must turn and seek God’s help in dire circumstances. God wants us to come to Him honestly especially in our moments of need. Maintaining a close relationship with God is what helps us persevere during difficult times. Prayer becomes a source of comfort, guidance, and strength to endure hardships as we hold on to the One who knows us, sees, us, and has the strength we need.

Jesus' submission to God's will, even at the cost of His life, also serves as the ultimate example of obedience and sacrifice. Jesus’ submission to God’s will challenges believers to consider their own willingness to follow God’s will, even when it demands personal sacrifice or deviates from their own plans. The disciples could not even stay awake while Jesus prayed, regardless of their circumstances leading them to be afraid and tired. Jesus, though, fully faced all He would endure, despite the immense difficulty of it. Jesus’ unwavering commitment to God's will, regardless of the actions of those around Him, powerfully provides us with the ultimate example of faith and obedience, urging believers to remain faithful and obedient to God, even when others will not.