Then he returned to the disciples and said to them: “Sleep from now on and rest, for now, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of sinners.”
This passage is the conclusion of the prayer in Gethsemane—the moment of Christ’s inner victory. Repeating the same words a third time, He no longer asks, but submits. The prayer has reached its purpose: Jesus has fully surrendered to the Father’s will. At that moment fear is replaced by peace, and human nature is united with divine commitment. Returning to the disciples, Jesus finds them asleep again. His words, “Sleep from now on and rest,” sound with gentle sadness: now it is too late; the hour has come. This is not a rebuke, but a meek farewell, showing the Lord’s merciful attitude toward those who could not remain awake. The phrase “Behold, the hour has come” is a sign that the moment has begun for which He was sent into the world. The words “the Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of sinners” testify to Christ’s voluntary sacrifice. He is not seized; rather, He Himself gives His life, already receiving the cup in peace. These two verses show that in Gethsemane prayer is transformed into peaceful acceptance. Christ becomes ready to meet the cross not with fear, but with confidence. His loneliness no longer grieves Him, because it is filled with divine power.