Luke 22:43

An angel. This was Gabriel, who ministered personally to Christ upon repeated occasions (see on ch. 1:19). Compare Jesus’ experience at the close of His encounter with Satan in the wilderness (see on Matt. 4:11).

Strengthening him. After His third season of prayer, and having made the great decision to go all the way to the cross, “Jesus fell dying to the ground from which He had partially risen,” having “tasted the sufferings of death for every man” (DA 693, 694). The mighty angel came to impart strength to Him for the hours of suffering that lay between Him and the cross, and when He had been strengthened, “He came forth calm and serene,” with “no traces of His recent agony” visible upon His face (DA 694). It was thus He met the mob that had come forth to seize Him.