New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 26:45

The Last Supper

Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26:45 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 26:45, in plain English

Jesus comes back and says: are you still sleeping? Look — the hour has come. The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Why it's here

The prayer time is over. What Jesus wrestled with in private is now becoming public. There is no more time to prepare.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks with urgency and resolve, waking His disciples to the reality of the moment.

Where it sits in the story

He has gone from anguish to readiness. The hour He dreaded is here, and He steps into it with His eyes open.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus returns a final time, noting that the hour (hora) has arrived and the Son of Man is being 'handed over' (paradidotai) into the hands of sinners — a divine passive suggesting God's sovereign action.

Language and setting

The 'hour' (hora) is a loaded theological term in the Gospels, referring to the appointed time of Jesus' death and glorification. The present tense paradidotai conveys immediacy.

Voice

Jesus speaks to His sleeping disciples with urgent finality as the moment arrives.

Significance

The prayer is done, the surrender complete. Jesus announces the hour with the calm authority of one who has faced the worst in prayer and emerged resolved.

In context

Matthew 26:43–47

43And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

44So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.

45Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Read all of Matthew 26 — Bread broken. Wine poured. A betrayal predicted. The longest night in history begins around a table.

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