Every step that the Saviour now took was with labored effort. He groaned aloud as though suffering under the pressure of a terrible burden; yet he refrained from startling his three chosen disciples by a full explanation of the agony which he was to suffer. Twice his companions prevented him from falling to the ground. Jesus felt that he must be still more alone, and he said to the favored three, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me.” His disciples had never before heard him utter such mournful tones. His frame was convulsed with anguish, and his pale countenance expressed a sorrow past all description. {3SP 95.1}

Ethvert skridt, som Frelseren tog, anstrengte ham meget. Han stønnede højt, som om han led under vægten af en forfærdelig byrde; men han undlod at forfærde sine tre udvalgte disciple ved en tydeligere forklaring over den sjælesmerte, som han skulle lide. Disciplene forhindrede ham to gange fra at falde til jorden. Jesus fornemmede, at han behøvede at være endnu mere i ensomhed, og han sagde til de tre, som var med ham: "Min sjæl er dybt bedrøvet til døden; bliv her og våg med mig!" (38.vers) Disciplene havde aldrig før hørt ham talt med en så alvorsfuld stemme. Hans legeme rystede af angst, og hans blege åsyn bar præg af en sorg, som overgår al beskrivelse.