The Night Before the Cross
In the shadow of the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem's walls, lies one of Christianity's most sacred and emotionally powerful sites: the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus experienced His darkest hour—sweating drops of blood as He surrendered His will to the Father's plan.
Scripture: *"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.'"* — Matthew 26:36-38
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The Garden Today
Ancient Olive Trees
The garden is most famous for its ancient olive trees—gnarled, twisted survivors that have been dated to approximately 900 years old by the National Research Council of Italy (2012). While this means they aren't the same trees from Jesus' time, they may be offshoots from the original garden.
The Franciscans, who have maintained the garden since 1681, carefully preserve eight particularly ancient trees. Standing among these silent witnesses, you can almost feel the weight of that night 2,000 years ago.
The Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony)
Built in 1924 by architect Antonio Barluzzi, the Church of All Nations is one of the most beautiful churches in the Holy Land.
Architectural features:
The Rock of the Agony:
In front of the altar lies a section of bedrock, surrounded by a wrought-iron crown of thorns. This stone is traditionally identified as the place where Jesus prayed and sweat drops of blood.
The Grotto of Gethsemane
A short walk away, a cave (grotto) is venerated as the place where the eight disciples waited while Jesus took Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden. It may also have been where Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
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Understanding the Events of That Night
The Sequence of Events
1. **After the Last Supper**, Jesus and His disciples walked from the Upper Room to the Mount of Olives 2. **At the garden entrance**, Jesus told eight disciples to wait 3. **Taking Peter, James, and John** deeper into the garden, Jesus asked them to watch and pray 4. **Jesus walked further** and fell to the ground in prayer 5. **Three times** Jesus prayed, returning each time to find the disciples asleep 6. **Judas arrived** with a crowd bearing swords and clubs 7. **Jesus was arrested** after Judas identified Him with a kiss 8. **The disciples fled**
Jesus' Prayer
*"Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."* — Mark 14:36
This prayer reveals Jesus' full humanity—He did not want to suffer. And it reveals His complete obedience—He submitted to the Father's will regardless of the cost.
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Visiting the Garden
What to Experience
1. **Walk among the olive trees**: Take time to appreciate these ancient survivors 2. **Pray at the rock**: The Church of All Nations welcomes silent prayer 3. **Sit in the garden**: Many pilgrims simply sit quietly, reading Scripture 4. **Visit the Grotto**: Often overlooked but spiritually meaningful 5. **View Jerusalem**: The garden offers beautiful views of the Old City walls
Practical Information
Opening hours:
Mass times:
Tips:
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Spiritual Reflection
The Garden of Gethsemane invites us into Jesus' most vulnerable moment. Here, the Son of God faced the full weight of human suffering He was about to bear.
Questions to ponder:
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Conclusion: Where Surrender Happened
Before the trial, before the flogging, before the cross, there was surrender. In this garden, Jesus chose obedience. His prayer teaches us that submission to God doesn't require understanding—only trust.
When you visit Gethsemane, you stand where the battle was won. The cross was the consequence; the decision happened here.
**Ready to visit the Garden of Gethsemane?** [Contact us](/contact) for pilgrimage tours.
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