Mark 14 · Verse 38

Mark 14:38

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38, King James Version

Mark 14:38 in other translations

BSBWatch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
WEBWatch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
ASVWatch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
YLTWatch ye and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'
DARBYWatch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak.
BBEKeep watch with prayer, so that you may not be put to the test; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is feeble.
WebsterWatch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

What does Mark 14:38 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 38.

(x) "spirit truly" Rom 7:18-25, Gal 5:17

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 14:32-42

Christ's sufferings began with the sorest of all, those in his soul. He began to be sorely amazed; words not used in St. Matthew, but very full of meaning. The terrors of God set themselves in array against him, and he allowed him to contemplate them. Never was sorrow like unto his at this time. Now he was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were laid upon him as our Surety. He now tasted death, in all the…

Read the full comment on Mark 14:32-42 →

Mark 14:38 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

γρηγορεῖτεgrēgoreitedo watchG1127
καὶkaiandG2532
προσεύχεσθεproseuchesthedo prayG4336
ἵναinaso thatG2443
μὴmēnotG3361
ἔλθητεelthēteyou may enterG2064
εἰςeisintoG1519
πειρασμόν.peirasmontemptation.G3986
τὸtoTheG3588
μὲνmenindeedG3303
πνεῦμαpneumaspiritG4151
πρόθυμον,prothumon[is] willing,G4289
ἡhē<the>G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
σὰρξsarxthe fleshG4561
ἀσθενής.asthenēsweak.G772

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 14:38

  • Matthew 26:41

    Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

  • Luke 21:36

    Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

  • Matthew 24:42

    Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

  • Luke 22:40

    And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

  • Romans 7:18-25

    For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. …

  • Revelation 3:2-3

    Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  • Luke 22:46

    And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

  • Galatians 5:17

    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

  • Mark 14:34

    And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:13

    Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Matthew 6:13

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Watch.
34; Mt 24:42; 25:13; 26:41; Lu 21:36; 22:40,46; 1Co 16:13; 1Pe 5:8
Re 3:2,3,10
The spirit.
Ro 7:18-25; Ga 5:17; Php 2:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 14:37

    And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

  • Mark 14:38

    Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

  • Mark 14:39

    And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

Read all of Mark 14

Mark 14:38 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Velad y orad, para que no entréis en tentación: el espíritu á la verdad es presto, mas la carne enferma.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Veillez et priez, afin que vous n’entriez pas en tentation; l’esprit est prompt, mais la chair est faible.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wachet und betet, auf daß ihr nicht in Versuchung kommet; der Geist zwar ist willig, das Fleisch aber schwach.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		vigilate et orate, ut non intretis in tentationem. Spiritus quidem promptus est, caro vero infirma.