Matthew 26:30

Sung a hymn. [Retirement to Gethsemane, Matt 26:30=Mark 14:26=Luke 22:39. Major comment: Matthew. See Betrayal, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus; Crucifixion In Relation To Passover, Passion Week, the Resurrection to Ascension.] Ps. 115 to 118 were usually sung at the close of the Passover meal. For the record of the counsel Jesus imparted to the disciples in the upper room and on the way to Gethsemane see John 14 to 17.

Mount of Olives. So called because of the olive groves on its slopes. Josephus refers to it by this name (Antiquities vii. 9. 2 [202]; xx. 8. 6; War v. 2. 3 [70]; etc.). Mount of Olives is the name generally applied to the western portion of a mountain mass directly across the Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem. The northern summit of Mt. Olivet reaches a height of 2,723 ft. (830 m.), about 300 ft. (91.5 m.) higher than the level of the Temple area in the city. See on chs. 21:1; 24:1. It is thought that before Titus destroyed all the timber in the environs of Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives was covered with oliveyards, fig orchards, and with myrtle and other shrubs. Bethany, about 2 mi. (3.2 km.) to the east of the city, was situated on the southeastern slope of the mountain. See illustration facing p. 513.