And again he came may sound rather abrupt in some languages; if a connection with the preceding verse is needed, one may translate “When he had finished praying, he returned once more….”

Them (Good News Translation “the disciples”) is a reference to the three disciples, Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (see verses 37, 40).

Sleeping is the opposite of “watch” (verses 38, 40), the root meaning of which is “keep awake” (RSV footnote).

Their eyes were heavy is an idiomatic expression which Good News Translation translates “they could not keep their eyes open.” Each language will have its own way of indicating the inability to stay awake.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .