Zach Hollifield has a wonderful article where he makes a keen observation and asks a crucial rational interpretive question:
It’s when Jesus returns from his own prayer to find them snoozing that he utters the infamous line “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” …
Matthew and Mark go out of their way to make it clear that Jesus says this to Peter and Peter alone. Mark even quotes Jesus as beginning the statement with, “Simon, are you asleep—?” Jesus finds all three sleeping, and yet when he makes the statement about the spirit being willing and flesh being weak, he says it directly to just one disciple. Why?
Hollifield finds in the text compelling answers to his question, leading to some really helpful application. This is a great example of strong Bible study skills.
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