SPECIAL TOPIC: GETHSEMANE

SPECIAL TOPIC: GETHSEMANE

“Gethsemane” meant “oil press” in Hebrew. It apparently was a private garden (i.e. John 18:1)
just outside the city limits of Jerusalem to the east on the Mount of Olives (cf. Zech. 14:4; Matt. 26:30;
Luke 22:39). It was illegal to have gardens within the city because the manure needed for the plants made
the city ceremonially unclean. Apparently Jesus came to this garden quite often (cf. Luke 21:37; 22:39;
John 18:2) to

pray
rest
fellowship with the Twelve
It is even possible that during Passion Week He bivouacked here with His disciples.