The Angels Who Ministered to Jesus

At two moments of intense trial, the Gospels record angels coming to serve Jesus. After forty days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness, 'the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.' In Gethsemane, as he prayed 'not my will, but thine, be done,' 'there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.' The Son of God, who could have asked for 'more than twelve legions of angels,' accepted their help in his true humanity without using them to escape the cross.

0:00

Strongest connections in Scripture

Matthew 4 Luke 22

Key Passages

Angels Came and Ministered Unto Him

Matthew 4:8-11

After Jesus resists the devil's final temptation, angels come to care for him.

A⁸gain, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹¹ Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

An Angel Strengthening Him

Luke 22:41-44

In his agony in the garden Jesus is strengthened by an angel as he submits to the Father's will.

A⁴¹nd he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

⁴² Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. ⁴³ And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.