Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." — Matthew 26:41 (ASV)

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Admire the tenderness of Jesus in making this excuse for his disciples. What he said about them was true: but it is not everybody who would have uttered that gentle truth at such a trying time. Dear friends, make excuses for one another whenever you can; never make them for yourselves, but often make them for others, and especially, when some treat you as you think very untenderly, be the more tender towards them.

It was truly kind of Christ to find an excuse for His weak and weary disciples. It was just like Him to say anything He could in their praise, even though they had slept when they should have watched. Yet He repeated the command, Watch, for that was the special duty of the hour, and He added, and pray, for prayer would help them to watch, and watching would aid them in praying. Watching and praying were commanded for a special purpose, that you do not enter into temptation. He knew what severe temptations were about to attack them, so He would have them doubly armed by—
“Watching unto prayer.”