THE road, which the Redeemer and His Apostles now traversed, led across the Kidron, and thence to a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives, which from the produce of the adjacent hills was called Gethsemane[498], or _the oil-press_[499], and was a spot to which He often resorted with His disciples (Jn. xviii. 2). On reaching this garden, the Holy One left the greater number of His Apostles at the outskirts (Mtt. xxvi. 36), while with three chosen witnesses[500], Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He Himself advanced further into the shadow of the overhanging olives. Here He began to be _sore amazed_ (Mk. xiv. 33) and _very heavy_ (Mtt. xxvi. 37; Mk. xiv. 33), and His _soul exceeding sorrowful even unto death_, and as a last request He begged them to watch, while He proceeded about a _stone’s throw further_ (Lk. xxii. 41) and engaged in solitary prayer. And now had come the hour for the last and most terrible assault of the Prince of Darkness (Comp. Lk. iv. 13). Kneeling down (Lk. xxii. 41), and falling forward on the earth (Mk. xiv. 35), He twice prayed that, _if it were possible_, the cup of suffering might pass from Him, and as often with infinite resignation added, _Not as I will, but as Thou wilt_ (Mtt. xxvi. 39). Soon the conflict deepened in intensity, and being in an “agony” He prayed _yet more earnestly_, while drops of bloody sweat fell from Him, and testified to the terrible nature of His sufferings (Lk. xxii. 44). Twice, as if to assure Himself of their sympathy and watchfulness, He came to the three Apostles, who had promised so eagerly even to die with Him, and twice He found them sleeping (Mtt. xxvi. 40, 43). The first time He awoke them, saying to Simon, _Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation_ (Mk. xiv. 37, 38). But on the second occasion He uttered not a word. Alone He retired to renew once more the conflict, and to offer for the third time the prayer of mingled entreaty and resignation to His Father in heaven; and then, having been strengthened by an angelic being, He for the third time revisited the Apostles to find them still sleeping. On this occasion, however, He awoke them, and with words of sorrowful expostulation told them that the golden opportunity for watching and prayer was over: _Rise_, said He, _let us be going; behold he that betrayeth Me is at hand_ (Mtt. xxvi. 46; Mk. xiv. 42).