Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- KJV Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
- NKJV Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- NASB Keep watching and praying, so that you will not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- NLT Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus urges them to watch and pray so they will not fall into temptation, noting the spirit is willing but the flesh weak. Prayerful vigilance is the means of standing in trial.
Overview
Jesus diagnoses the human condition: sincere intentions are repeatedly undone by frailty. The remedy he prescribes is watchful prayer that draws strength from God. This echoes the petition of the Lord's Prayer to be kept from temptation and remains vital counsel for every believer.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Matt 26:41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
- Matt 24:42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
- Luke 21:36So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- Luke 22:40When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”
- Rom 7:18–25I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
- Rev 3:2–3Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.
- Luke 22:46“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”
- Gal 5:17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
- 1 Cor 16:13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
- Mark 14:34Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
- Matt 6:13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
- 1 Pet 5:8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Matt 25:13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Rev 3:10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
- Phil 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 14:38 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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