# Is “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” in the Bible?

> Yes. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” is in the Bible, at Matthew 26:41.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-spirit-is-willing-but-the-flesh-is-weak
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Jesus says it to his disciples in Gethsemane, when he finds them asleep.

## The verse

> Keep awake and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
>
> — [Matthew 26:41](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/26#41) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in 2 verses of the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

They meant to stay awake with him and could not. Jesus tells them to keep awake and pray, so they do not give way when tested.

## Also in the Bible

> Stay awake and pray, so that you will not come into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
>
> — [Mark 14:38](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/14#38) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” in the Bible?

Yes. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” is in the Bible, at Matthew 26:41. These exact words are in 2 verses of the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. Jesus says it to his disciples in Gethsemane, when he finds them asleep.

### Where in the Bible is “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”?

In Matthew 26:41, and also Mark 14:38. In the Lumin Translation, Matthew 26:41 reads: “Keep awake and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

### Who said “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”?

Jesus says it to his disciples in Gethsemane, when he finds them asleep.

### What does “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” mean in the Bible?

They meant to stay awake with him and could not. Jesus tells them to keep awake and pray, so they do not give way when tested.

## More

- [Is “To everything there is a season” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/to-everything-there-is-a-season.md)
- [Is “Weighed in the balance and found wanting” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/weighed-in-the-balance-and-found-wanting.md)
- [Where is “For I know the plans I have for you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/for-i-know-the-plans-i-have-for-you.md)
- [Where is “My grace is sufficient for you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/my-grace-is-sufficient-for-you.md)
- [Where is “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/no-weapon-formed-against-you-shall-prosper.md)
- [Where is “Peace I leave with you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/peace-i-leave-with-you.md)
- [Where is “Your word is a lamp to my feet” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/your-word-is-a-lamp-to-my-feet.md)
- [Where is “Taste and see that the Lord is good” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/taste-and-see-that-the-lord-is-good.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)