Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 26:45

"Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." — Matthew 26:45 (ASV)

Sleep on now, and take your rest. Most interpreters have supposed that this should be translated as a question, rather than a command: "Do you sleep now, and take your rest? Is this a time, amid so much danger and so many enemies, to give yourselves to sleep?" This construction is strongly supported by Luke, where the expression, Why sleep ye? (Luke 22:46), evidently refers to the same point of time.

There is no doubt that the Greek language allows for this construction; and in this way, the apparent inconsistency will be removed between this command, to sleep, and that in the next verse, to rise and be going. Others suppose that, his agony being over and the necessity of watching with him now passed, he kindly permitted them to seek repose until they should be roused by the coming of the traitor; that while they slept, Jesus remained awake; that some considerable time elapsed between what was spoken here and in the next verse; and that Jesus allowed them to sleep until he saw Judas coming, and then roused them.

Others have supposed that he spoke this in irony: "Sleep on now, if you can; take rest, if possible, in such dangers, and at such a time." But this supposition is unworthy of the Savior and the occasion. Mark adds, It is enough. That is, sufficient time has been given to sleep. It is time to arise and be going.

The hour is at hand. The time when the Son of Man is to be betrayed is near.

Sinners: Judas, the Roman soldiers, and the Jews.