Luke 22:44Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The observation that the supplication was of human essence, characterized by a natural inclination towards life rather than emanating from the divine nature, contrary to the claims of the condemned Arians, becomes apparent through the intense struggle endured by Jesus, which caused, as the saying goes, drops of blood to fall from Him. This saying about those who toil intensely refers to those whose exertion leads them to sweat as if they were shedding blood, similar to those who grieve deeply and are said to cry tears of blood. The evangelist uses the term "drops of blood" not to imply a mere thin fluid but to illustrate the significant sweat produced, effectively conveying the reality of His human struggle.

Adam experienced sweat that resembled drops of blood (Luke 22:44). His anguish served to restore the ailing Adam. It was declared, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen 3:19). He persistently prayed in that garden to restore Adam to the heavenly paradise.

In this chapter, everything is discussed and explained. Therefore, refer to the interpretation of the verse, 'And leaving them, he went away again, and prayed a third time, saying the same word.'

In this way, Christ, who is divine, willingly reveals His human characteristics when He experiences hunger and fatigue. Even though He is the one who neither slumbers nor sleeps, He feels thirst, fear, and sorrow, and engages in prayer, sometimes even resting His head. He pleads for divine aid to avoid the anguish associated with this cup, despite having come into the world precisely for this purpose. In His struggle, He sweats profusely and is subsequently strengthened by an angel, the very same one who empowers those who place their faith in Him and has exemplified through His life how to confront death with disregard.

I was poured out like water, and all my bones were dispersed; my heart turned to wax, melting within my innermost being (Ps 21:14). These words anticipated what would occur to Christ that night when He was confronted in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the accounts compiled by His apostles and their disciples, it is recorded that sweat dripped from Him like blood (Lk 22:44) as He prayed, saying, "Let this cup pass from me if it is possible" (Mt 26:39, Lk 22:42). It is clear that both His heart and bones trembled during this time, with His heart resembling melting wax in His innards, revealing that it was the Father’s purpose for His Son to endure such agony for our sake. This indicates that He, as the Son of God, fully understood the gravity of His suffering. The proclamation, "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws" (Ps 21:15), as previously noted, foreshadowed His silence; for He, who chastised the unwise teachers, chose to respond to nothing decisively.

‘His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground’ Now gaze, O bride, upon your cherished Bridegroom! Observe how your ‘brother’ appears both white and ‘red’ (Song of Songs 5:10). White, for He is pale with fear and trepidation. Red, for He is marked by the sweat of blood. Who, O Lord, is it that, without a wound, has stricken and hurt You so profoundly that You are drenched in blood? It is love, which triumphs over death: ‘Love is as strong as death’ (Song of Songs 8:6). O passionate love, which many waters cannot extinguish, and even blood cannot overwhelm! The dual forces wrestling in Christ the Saviour that led to such bloody sweat were fear and love.

The Gospel writers portray the suffering of the Savior in Gethsemane with vivid intensity. In the account of St. Matthew, He experiences deep sorrow and longing; St. Mark describes Him as filled with dread and grief; while St. Luke emphasizes His struggle, noting that His sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the earth.

Jesus, who had previously exhibited great bravery, now appeared to succumb to overwhelming sorrow. Not long before, He had proclaimed, “Now the Son of Man is glorified,” and urged, “Go ahead, I have overcome the world.” Yet now, He was prepared to beseech the Father that this bitter cup might be taken from Him. What was it that stirred such grief within Jesus’ spirit, bringing about such a swift change in His state? It was certainly not merely the physical torment that loomed before Him, for facing death should not be more challenging for the righteous than for the transgressor. It has been noted that a guilty person might seek punishment as a means to alleviate their conscience. Even typical individuals endure physical pain without succumbing to despair.

During His prayer, perspiration dripped from the Savior's brow, resembling drops of blood due to His intense anguish. It remains uncertain whether this was actual blood or merely a comparison made by the Evangelist. Regardless, upon the appearance of the angel, Jesus was strengthened not just in His spirit, but also physically, enabling Him to endure the torment of that sleepless night and all the subsequent suffering that lay ahead.

He fervently prayed during his turmoil, which refers not merely to the supplication following the angel's appearance, but serves as an overarching observation concerning his entire period of prayer. It was the anguish of death, encapsulated in His words (Matthew 26:38), and the deep distress associated with mortality (ἀγωνίᾳ), leading to a heightened manifestation of the Lord's human faculties in His intensified battle (see Hebrews 5:7). The scripture notes that His perspiration resembled drops of blood; such profound moral anguish has at times been accompanied by similar phenomena, as noted by philosophers like Aristotle and historians like Diodorus of Sicily. Blessed Theophylact interprets it this way: Jesus was in such a conflict that, as the saying goes, blood fell from Him.

As He faced great anguish, He prayed with even greater fervor, and His sweat was like drops of blood.