And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

MARK 14:34KJV
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Mark 14:34 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:34 mean?

Mark 14:34 shows Jesus telling three of his followers how deeply distressed he is as he faces the events ahead. He asks them to remain nearby and stay awake while he goes to pray.

Jesus speaks to Peter, James, and John in Gethsemane, a place where they have gone together. His words “unto death” express the severity of his sorrow. The request to watch gives the three followers a role as Jesus moves a little farther away.

The Greek behind Mark 14:34

  • “soul” — ψυχή (psychē): This word can refer to a person’s life or inner self. Here it conveys the depth of Jesus’ personal distress.
  • “sorrowful” — περίλυπος (perilypos): This word carries the sense of being deeply grieved or overwhelmed with sorrow. It strengthens the picture of the anguish Jesus expresses.
  • “watch” — γρηγορέω (grēgoreō): This word means to stay awake or be alert. Jesus asks the three to remain attentive, rather than simply stay in the place.

Why Mark 14:34 matters

  • Jesus makes his distress known to his companions. The words “My soul” give Peter, James, and John a direct account of what he is experiencing.
  • The request to watch becomes significant as the scene continues. In Mark 14:37, Jesus finds the three asleep, even though he has asked them to stay alert.
  • The three are close to Jesus during his prayer but do not accompany him the whole way. Mark 14:35 says he goes forward a little before falling to the ground and praying.

Where else these words appear

“sorrowful” Greek G4036 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
  • Mark 6:26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
  • Luke 18:23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

“watch” Greek G1127 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
  • Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
  • 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

“here” Greek G5602 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
  • Luke 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

“soul” Greek G5590 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
  • John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.