Charles Ellicott 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 — There is an obvious difficulty in these words, as they are followed so immediately by the command, Rise, let us be going. We might, at first, be inclined to see a shade of implied reproach in them, as if Christ were saying, "Sleep on now, if sleep is possible under such conditions; make the most of the short time that remains before the hour of the betrayal comes."

While something of this kind seems implied, the sudden change is perhaps best explained by the supposition that the Traitor and his companions were seen approaching only after these words had been spoken. It was this sight that led to the next command, which seems so different in its meaning, bidding the slumberers to rouse themselves from sleep.

The past moment—which, as far as their trial was concerned, might have been given to sleep—was over. A new crisis had arrived, calling for action.