Why did they go to the Garden of Gethsemane?

[Seachange]

I was meditating on the Agony in the Garden and the thought struck me that it seemed odd that they would leave the upper room late at night after a feast to go to a garden some distance away.

Was it part of the traditional way the Passover was kept? Did the other Jews also leave their homes, go out to a ‘wilderness’ after the Passover feast?

Did the Garden have some special significance to Jesus or to the Jews prior to Jesus choosing to spend his last night on earth there?

 

[TK421]

OT prophets frequently went to the wilderness for safety or contemplation. The wilderness is a sort of sanctuary that imposes a separation from Earthly affairs.

AFAIK it was never a custom at Passover to retreat to the wilderness afterward. You actually stayed in your home.

 

[JerryZ]

I was meditating on the Agony in the Garden and the thought struck me that it seemed odd that they would leave the upper room late at night after a feast to go to a garden some distance away.

Was it part of the traditional way the Passover was kept? Did the other Jews also leave their homes, go out to a ‘wilderness’ after the Passover feast?

Did the Garden have some special significance to Jesus or to the Jews prior to Jesus choosing to spend his last night on earth there?

Well if Jesus had remained at the upper room, then the Apostles would not have had a hiding place where to stay when Jesus was crucified and buried.

Where did the Holy Spirit descend at Pentecost ? Hint! The Upper Room

Also St. John tells us:

John Chapter 18
18:1 When Jesus had said these things, he departed with his disciples across the Torrent of Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. 18:2 But Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus had frequently met with his disciples there.

Hope this helps!

 

[GEddie]

I was meditating on the Agony in the Garden and the thought struck me that it seemed odd that they would leave the upper room late at night after a feast to go to a garden some distance away.

Was it part of the traditional way the Passover was kept? Did the other Jews also leave their homes, go out to a ‘wilderness’ after the Passover feast?

Did the Garden have some special significance to Jesus or to the Jews prior to Jesus choosing to spend his last night on earth there?

I’m not sure how far it was, have been to both, but not directly from one to the other.

It would not seem to be that far. The Cenaculum (place of the Last Supper) is on Mount Zion, across the Cedron from the walled city. Gethsemane (which name means, an oil press) is just outside the city wall.

While going into a garden after the Passover was not part of the “rubrics” for that feast, in the prayer for Holy Saturday, it is said that because Adam fell in a garden, it was necessary for our LORD to be betrayed in a garden.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Seachange]

I’m not sure how far it was, have been to both, but not directly from one to the other.

It would not seem to be that far. The Cenaculum (place of the Last Supper) is on Mount Zion, across the Cedron from the walled city. Gethsemane (which name means, an oil press) is just outside the city wall.

While going into a garden after the Passover was not part of the “rubrics” for that feast, in the prayer for Holy Saturday, it is said that because Adam fell in a garden, it was necessary for our LORD to be betrayed in a garden.

ICXC NIKA

Thank you. I knew there had to be a significance that had escaped me. Nothing he did that night was without purpose.

Is there significance to being outside of Jerusalem when he was betrayed?

Is anything else known about it?

 

[GEddie]

Thank you. I knew there had to be a significance that had escaped me. Nothing he did that night was without purpose.

Is there significance to being outside of Jerusalem when he was betrayed?

Is anything else known about it?

No significance that is official in nature, comparable to the reading for Holy Saturday. At least none that immediately spring to mind.

Anybody?

ICXC NIKA

 

[Samwise1]

Some thoughts:
-Gethsemane = “Oil press”. Seeds are crushed to get the liquid out; so Jesus was crushed to pour His Holy Blood for us (He even sweated blood and tears there);
-Jerusalem = “City of peace”. There’s nothing peaceful about the betrayal of Jesus;
-Jesus went out of busy places to be alone with God;
-Lepers were taken out of the city when their sickness was discovered; Jesus was treated like a leper;
-Jerusalem: The place of Judaism, so exiting Jerusalem could mean that He was betrayed for all people, not only for the Jews;
-There were many ‘fans’ of Jesus inside the city; the Sanhedrin/Judas would have known that capturing him in the sight of all the people, would cause a riot; so did Jesus know: So in order to be captured, He had to go out;
-The connection of this temptation with the temptation in the desert after His Baptism.

-Probably there are psalms and prophets referring to the significane of “outside the city”. Outside Jerusalem is also outside the government and outside the temple.
-Like previous posters said, and I think it’s the most important, is the custom that people (including Jesus) went to pray there;
-Anyone has Pope Benedict’s book about Jesus Christ (the part about the Passion)? He might have put in some explanations there.

 

[brigid12]

I’ve heard that He was going to spend the night at Mary’s and Martha’s. The Garden of Gethsemane is supposed to be nearby. I hadn’t heard the thought that since Adam fell in a garden that Jesus needed to be there to pour out His Blood in sacrifice for that there. Good thought!

 

[GEddie]

I’ve heard that He was going to spend the night at Mary’s and Martha’s. The Garden of Gethsemane is supposed to be nearby. I hadn’t heard the thought that since Adam fell in a garden that Jesus needed to be there to pour out His Blood in sacrifice for that there. Good thought!

In all fairness, I didn’t make that up; it’s part of the Holy Saturday readings.

He wouldn’t have gone to M&M. They lived in Bethany, the opposite direction from Jerusalem (over the mountains, not back across the Cedron). He also knew how the night was going to end.

ICXC NIKA.