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Garden of Gethsemane
Garden of Gethsemane is where Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal and arrest.
Sitting at the foot of the Mount of Olives, within the grounds of the Church of all Nations, Garden of Gethsemane has magnificent ancient olive trees that dates back to approximately 2,000 years, is still producing olives today.
We walked down from Mount of Olives, visiting Dome of Ascension, Church of Pater Noster and Tomb of Prophets. Garden of Gethesemane and Church of All Nations are downhill walk from Mount of Olives and it really makes sense to visit in the same order that we visited, so that walking down is easier to visit all the attractions on Mount of Olives.
Background Story
After dinner, Jesus spent time talking and praying with his 11 remaining disciples.
Leaving the upper room, the group went to a place outside the city of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley, called the Mount of Olives.
They would have seen a stunning view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.
A peaceful garden surrounding an olive grove stood nestled on the mount. Called the Garden of Gethsemane, its name came from the Hebrew word, ‘Gat Shemen’, meaning “olive press”.
When he arrived at the Garden, Jesus asked His disciples to wait and keep watch as he prayed a short distance away. In great anguish, Jesus prayed he would not have to suffer the horror He knew was just ahead. As his disciples slept, He pleaded:
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but Yours be done.
After he finished praying, Jesus asked his disciples why they had fallen asleep. In the meantime, Judas led a band of men into the Garden. Their purpose was to arrest Jesus.
Biblical Scriptures on Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his followers to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and he began to be very sad and troubled. He said to them, “My heart is full of sorrow, to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.”
After walking a little farther away from them, Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, do not give me this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.”
Then Jesus went back to his followers and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “You men could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.”
Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this painful thing to be taken from me, and if I must do it, I pray that what you want will be done.”
Then he went back to his followers, and again he found them asleep, because their eyes were heavy. So Jesus left them and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
Then Jesus went back to his followers and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinful people. Get up, we must go. Look, here comes the man who has turned against me.”
Church of All Nations
The Church of All Nations, standing near the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, is built over the rock on which Jesus is believed to have prayed in agony the night before he was crucified.
The church and the adjacent Garden of Gethsemane, with its eight ancient olive trees, provide an evocative place for meditation, especially when visited at night.
Entire Holy Land Trip Index
Trip to Israel as family was amazing. Getting to see the Holy Land which we have read and heard about since our childhood Bible story days is truly special indeed. We have put forth 50 detailed post on our DIY trip to Israel & Jordan.
Check out our entire 10 Day Trip Index of Holy Land. We would love to hear your feedback.