Location
Overview
Gethsemane — "oil press" — was a garden across the Kidron at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus often withdrew with his disciples. It was the scene of his agony and arrest.
The agony in the garden
After the Last Supper, "Jesus with his disciples" came to "a place called Gethsemane" (Matthew 26:36). There, "in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood," saying, "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42–44).
"Could ye not watch?"
Three times he returned to find Peter, James, and John asleep: "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matthew 26:40).
The betrayal
There Judas came with a band of men and betrayed him with a kiss, and Jesus was arrested — "this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:47–53).
Events Here
Jesus prays in agony and is betrayed in Gethsemane
Scripture References
2 versesMatthew1 verse
Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Mark1 verse
Mark 14:32
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Archaeology & History
The traditional Garden of Gethsemane lies at the foot of the Mount of Olives beside the Church of All Nations, where a grove of very old olive trees still grows — some among the oldest known. A garden of olive trees with a press fits the name exactly, and its location matches the Gospel route from the upper city across the Kidron.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Gethsemane
Where is Gethsemane today?
Today, Gethsemane corresponds to Garden of Gethsemane, East Jerusalem.
What does the name Gethsemane mean?
The name Gethsemane means “Oil press”.
What happened at Gethsemane in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Gethsemane include jesus prays in agony and is betrayed in gethsemane.
Where is Gethsemane first mentioned in the Bible?
Gethsemane is first mentioned in Matthew 26:36.
How often is Gethsemane mentioned in the Bible?
Gethsemane is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: Matthew, Mark.
What does Gethsemane mean?
It means "oil press," fitting a garden of olive trees on the Mount of Olives where olives were pressed for oil.
What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane?
Jesus prayed there in agony before his crucifixion, submitting to the Father’s will, and was then betrayed by Judas and arrested.