“Gethsemane” (pronunciation: gə-THĕs-mə-nē) is a place and the original Greek name (ἐλαιών) for an olive grove or olive press, located on the slopes of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It was at Gethsemane where Jesus spent his last night before being crucified, according to all four canonical gospels. Below, we will review the Spiritual meaning of gethsemane, meaning of gethsemane in the bible and lessons from the garden of gethsemane. The name Gethesemene appears only once in the New Testament – John 18:1 in the King James Version; other translations use “olive press”, “press”, or “garden”. The place is now a site for prayer and meditation for Christians.

Gethsemane (Hebrew: גְּתַשְׂמַן gəṯašmānē) is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, often referred to in sources in English as the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Gospel of Matthew (26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39), Jesus told his disciples that his “soul was very sorrowful, even unto death” and asked them to pray that “the Father of mercies” would strengthen him to “bear [his] cross.” Elsewhere in Matthew, chapter 26 verses 39-44 describe three prayerlike events: Jesus’ agony or anguish, his arrest by Judas and the disciples sleeping. Traditionally, Christians understand these three events as occurring in or near Gethsemane.

meaning of gethsemane in the bible

The spiritual meaning of Gethsemane is that we must be willing to bear the things that we do not want to bear on behalf of others, even if it means suffering.

Jesus was in Gethsemane when he prayed to God about his impending death. This was a time for Jesus to pray and contemplate what was going to happen to him on the cross. He knew this would be necessary for humankind’s salvation, but he also knew that it would be painful and difficult for him personally. That is why he prayed so fervently—because he wanted God’s will done, but he also wanted God’s will done in a way where he would not suffer too much because of it.

The garden of Gethsemane is the traditional place where Jesus prayed and was arrested. It is located in the Kidron Valley, between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem.

The name “Gethsemane” means “oil press.” In ancient times, olive trees were cultivated in this area to harvest their fruit, which was pressed into oil. The oil was used for cooking and lighting lamps. Today, there are no fruit trees growing in Gethsemane.

In New Testament times, this garden was surrounded by a wall and had an olive press. According to the Bible (Matthew 26:36), Jesus went into Gethsemane with Peter and James after He washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. While He was praying there, Judas came with soldiers sent by Caiaphas to arrest Jesus (John 18:1).

spiritual meaning of gethsemane

Before there was a Calvary, there was a Gethsemane. The sorrow Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane on the last night before His crucifixion seemed to be the culmination of all of the sorrow He had ever known. This time at Gethsemane, next to the cross itself, was the most difficult moment of His life. He underwent stress of cosmic dimensions.

What Is Gethsemane?

Gethsemane, meaning “oil press”, is an orchard of olive trees at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The Garden of Gethsemane is referenced in the Old and New Testament, having historical and theological significance at the time of Jesus Christ and today.

Jessica Brodie gives an explanation of the location and scripture sources of Gethsemane, saying:

While the exact location is difficult to pinpoint, the Bible indicates the Garden of Gethsemane is on the Mount of Olives, a historic place of great meaning throughout the Bible. The Mount of Olives was a “Sabbath day’s walk from the city,” we are told in Acts 1:12. Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary tells us the Mount of Olives was named as such because it was clothed in olive trees. Sitting about 200 feet above sea level, it was one of a few mountain ridges east of Jerusalem and afforded a good view of the city. The valley of Kidron lies between the mountain and Jerusalem, and the whole region was a place Jesus often visited in his travels throughout the Gospels.

The Mount of Olives is a place of significance; King Solomon erected a “high place” there for the worship of foreign gods, causing the Lord to become very angry with him (1 Kings 7-11). King David and his followers fled Jerusalem through the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives, weeping and barefoot, after his son Absalom rebelled with an uprising (2 Samuel 15:13-30). The Old Testament prophet Zechariah prophesied that “a day of the Lord” would be coming when the Lord would stand upon the Mount of Olives, ready for battle, and be king over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:1-9).

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

The Gospel of Matthew

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” (Matthew 26:36-46)

lessons from the garden of gethsemane

The Spiritual Meaning of Gethsemane

Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus prayed the night before he was crucified, is an important site of Christian pilgrimage. It is also a symbol for Christians’ struggle with temptation and sin.

The name Gethsemane means “oil press” in Hebrew—a reference to the olive trees growing in the area. The garden is located in Jerusalem’s Kidron Valley, on the Mount of Olives. According to tradition, this is where Jesus went after being betrayed by Judas and arrested by Roman soldiers.

Jesus asked his disciples to pray while he struggled with his emotions and temptation. He knew that they would be able to watch him from a distance but not hear him praying aloud—and he wanted them to join their prayers with his own as they reflected on his life and ministry together as a community (John 17).

After this experience, Jesus felt drained and exhausted (Mark 14:32-42), but he returned to face his death without fear or hesitation because he knew it was necessary for salvation (John 19:28-30).