Gethsemane means "oil press". The current garden contains over half a dozen ancient olive trees. Josephus tells us that Titus had all trees in and around Jerusalem cut down in 70 A.D. Did these trees escape the ax or did they grow again from the trunk that remained? Either way, it is a fitting image for the Christian faith in such significant place. For it was here we remember how Jesus prayed on the night he was arrested (Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-49; Luke 22:39-53).

Matthew 26:36-56
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. 
37: And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 
38: Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 
39: And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 
40: And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 
41: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 
42: He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 
43: And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 
44: And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 
45: Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
46: Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 
47: And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 
48: Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 
49: And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 
50: And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 
51: And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 
52: Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 
53: Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 
54: But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 
55: In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 
56: But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 

Mark 14:32-52
32: And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 
33: And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 
34: And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 
35: And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 
36: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 
37: And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 
38: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 
39: And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 
40: And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 
41: And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
42: Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. 
43: And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 
44: And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 
45: And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 
46: And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 
47: And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 
48: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 
49: I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 
50: And they all forsook him, and fled. 
51: And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 
52: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 

Luke 22:39-53
39: And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 
40: And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 
41: And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 
42: Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 
43: And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 
44: And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 
45: And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 
46: And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. 
47: And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 
48: But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 
49: When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 
50: And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 
51: And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 
52: Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 
53: When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 

Garden of Gethsemane - Watch and pray

Jesus commands His disciples to watch and pray only to find them asleep when He returns to them here in the Garden of Gethsemane. How frequently the Christian finds his defenses lowered and falls into sleep (both physically and metaphorically). Paul in his letter to Ephesians reminds the church that they were not facing incompetent foes but principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness. Thus, to fight the enemy the Christian should take the full armor of God, pray, and be vigilant of the enemy.

Matthew 26:41
41: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

Ephesians 6:10-20
10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 
14: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 
15: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 
18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 
19: And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 
20: For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.