Once they arrive at this pleasant spot among the olive trees, Jesus leaves eight of the apostles behind. Perhaps they remain near the garden’s entrance, for he tells them: “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along three apostles​—Peter, James, and John—​Jesus goes farther into the garden. He becomes greatly troubled and tells the three: “I am deeply grieved, even to death. Stay here and keep on the watch with me.”​—Matthew 26:36-38.

Jesus has observed from heaven the extreme suffering of others put to death by the Romans. Now as a human, who has tender feelings and who can feel pain, Jesus is not looking forward to what awaits him. More important, though, he is in agony because he senses that his dying like a despicable criminal might bring reproach on his Father’s name. In a few hours, he will be hanged on a stake as if he were a blasphemer against God.