Gethsemane: Basilica of the Agony

Old olive trees in the walled garden shown as Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, c. 1890–1900.Photochrom, Library of Congress · no known restrictions on publication

In the Bible

Jesus came with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives; a stone's throw beyond them He knelt and prayed: “Take this cup from Me.”

Mark 14:32–36Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Luke 22:39–44Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Tradition

By tradition, Jesus prayed on the rock now before the altar and was arrested in the nearby Grotto of Gethsemane; some olive trees of the garden are many centuries old.

Here today

The Basilica of the Agony, or Church of All Nations, consecrated in 1924 over Byzantine and Crusader remains, beside a walled garden of old olives.

Through the eyes of old pilgrims

When they have arrived at Gethsemane … that passage from the Gospel is read where the Lord was apprehended; and when this passage has been read there is such a moaning and groaning of all the people, with weeping, that the groans can be heard almost at the city.Egeria, c. 381–384

Also as one goes from Jerusalem to the gate which is to the eastward, in order to ascend the Mount of Olives, is the valley called that of Josaphat. Towards the left, where are vineyards, is a stone at the place where Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ.The Bordeaux Pilgrim, 333

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).