This is the second part of the Gethsemane scene. Jesus finds his disciples asleep, despite his request to watch with him. His words 'The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak' have become famous and perfectly capture the human condition: we want to do good, but often fail in our weakness.
Jesus prays for the second time and now speaks a prayer of surrender. He accepts God's will, even if it means he must drink the bitter cup. This is the turning point: from resistance to acceptance.
Gethsemane
Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern
Recitative
•Evangelist, Jesus
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No. 25part_28
Evangelist
And he came to his disciples and found them sleeping, and said to them:
Jesus
Could you not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Evangelist
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying:
Jesus
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
German
English
Evangelist
Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern, und fand sie schlafend, und sprach zu ihnen:
Evangelist
And he came to his disciples and found them sleeping, and said to them:
Jesus
Könnet ihr denn nicht eine Stunde mit mir wachen?
Wachet und betet, daß ihr nicht in Anfechtung fallet! Der Geist ist willig, aber das Fleisch ist schwach.
Jesus
Could you not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Evangelist
Zum andern Mal ging er hin, betete und sprach:
Evangelist
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying:
Jesus
Mein Vater, ist's nicht möglich, daß dieser Kelch von mir gehe, ich trinke ihn denn, so geschehe dein Wille.
Jesus
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Modern adaptation
Jesus found his friends asleep. 'Can't you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay alert and pray for strength, because your spirit is willing but your body is weak.' He prayed again: 'Father, if this trial cannot pass, let your will be done.'