For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Larry Truelove
I do not believe Jesus literally sweated blood at Gathsemene. While the Greek language permits such an interpretation, it does not demand it.
Since it is admitted by all to be a very rare condition, that would argue for the least likely interpretation. Isn't it just as likely that great duress would cause normal copious flows of sweat from his body? If his sweat flowed like blood, wouldn't his disciples take note of it? Isn't it as equally likely that a medical doctor like Luke should describe an unusual but not rare phenomenon?
Ted Beaton
Well Luke 22:44 says "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." Note the words "as it were great drops of blood". They aren't saying his sweat was blood. They are saying " as if they were great drops of blood", in other words big drops like if someone was bleeding.... not necessarily the color of blood. The description is the size of the drops. So, I'm not sure he really sweated blood either. On the other hand, I think it is immaterial. Maybe he did maybe he didn't, it doesn't matter.
Stephen Wicker
In all of the translations of the Bible that I own, and there are several of them, the text in Luke NEVER says that Jesus sweated blood; it plainly says that his sweat was LIKE great drops of blood. The verse is plainly a SIMILE, a figure of speech that serves as an illustration. I have read all sorts of opinions that purport to explain this verse by stating that Jesus was suffering from some sort of blood-separation or blood-thinning in order that the pains of scourging and crucifixion would be heightened. But none of these "explanations" fits the clear meaning of the text, which remains a simile.
Danny Hickman
No, I don't think the writer wants us to think Jesus had some rare condition that caused Him to sweat hemoglobin. He says it was "as if" He was sweating blood. If the writer was telling us Jesus sweated blood, he would have said it more plainly than he said it. Clearly, he's using hyperbole.
Jesus' blood was shed for the sins of mankind. He didn't sweat blood. I, for one, think it's unchristian to claim that Jesus' blood was shed in any way except on the cross.
Christine Ruiz
I have often thought about this. Because Jesus' intense sweating is 'likened' to great drops of blood, I believe it was NOT actual blood but just as if one was bleeding from a wound - severe and heavy was the flow from his head and brows. If Jesus was sweating great drops of blood, there would be pools of blood all around Him, on the ground, and also on His clothing, His face, His hands from wiping, etc.
None of the Disciples said anything about blood at the scene when they awoke! That would have been the natural thing to do. ''Jesus! What happened? What is all this blood from? Are you hurt?'' Nothing at all. The comparison is just to detail and amplify how really GREAT His suffering and agony were about what and how His sacrifice was going to entail. No one suffered more than He, physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. He was marred more than any man to the point he didn't even resemble a human. Plus, He took the punishment of the entire sins of the world (past, present & future) on Himself. AND...TO FEEL A SEPARATION FROM HIS FATHER... This makes it possible for Jesus to take our sins and to give us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! Written on Resurrection Day, April 5, 2026!
Danny Hickman
Great comments Christine! I'm with you. His team would have said something about Him bleeding if He had sweated blood. What I don't understand, is the awful tendency of the Christian Community to exaggerate the event to that extent!!
The writer of the narrative was without a doubt in my mind, using hyperbolic imagery to convey the thought that Jesus was agonizing greatly in that hour of His impending passion! The way we in this day and age say it is, "He was sweating bullets."
It would be laughable for someone to try and come up with a scientific assertion of how there is a condition that can cause humans to actually sweat hollow points!! lol -- That's how it sounded to me, the times I've read of the ridiculous 'blood sweating busted vessels' explanation for the scripture in question.
Jesus bled out on the Cross!!.. not in a garden. It makes me scratch my head that so many of us don't know that we play into the enemy's evil hands when we go along with bogus claims about our Faith. I don't know if any human has ever sweated blood, but I know that ain't what the Scriptures are telling us about Jesus!! The writer was using picturesque speech to make a passionate point.
He was "sweating bullets"!! Stressed out, is the intended meaning, not a rare medical phenomenon.
Christine Ruiz
Yes, Danny. Thanks for adding more content to this discussion. Nice to see it's not YEARS until there was another comment! The extent of His agony in the garden included the heaviness of 1. Bearing the sins of the world 2. Drinking the cup of God's wrath for sin 3. He, who knew no sin became sin. 4. Knowing this could/would mean a separation from The Father 5. Actually saying 'Father if there is any other way, please let this cup pass from me...BUT, not my will Thine be done,' always submitting to His Father. 6. Jesus must have also known of the physical suffering He would have to endure. Then, the beautiful verse ''For the JOY set before Him He endured the cross.'' Hebrews 12:2 The joy was everlasting fellowship with those who believe.
Kelli Trujillo
Personally, I believe that if the Word of God states that Jesus was sweating blood, then He was sweating blood. There is a genuine medical condition in which people can sweat blood:
"Sweating blood is a rare medical condition called Hematidrosis (also spelled hematohidrosis or haematohidrosis). It occurs when blood is excreted with sweat, often due to capillary rupture under extreme physical or emotional stress, such as intense fear, anxiety, or high blood pressure." --AI-generated answer
In response to the suggestion that there would probably be blood all over the place to the point of shocking the disciples, apparently, the amount of blood mixed with the sweat beads is minimal with hematidrosis. Although the appearance of the sweat beads mixed with blood is red, the red color isn't as intense as it would be if someone were to be bleeding out ALL blood, such as when someone has a gushing wound.
Christine Ruiz
Yes, Kelli, I know about the medical condition. However, that's not what the Scriptures say. They ALL say 'like great drops of blood' or 'as it were great drops of blood'. It's comparing one thing to another thing that they are similar to give a clearer picture of how intense his sweating was. You cannot just say Jesus sweat great drops of blood if the Bible doesn't say that. ''Your hair is like a flock of goats.'' Song of Solomon and "You are like whitewashed tombs.'' Matthew just meant to get a clearer image to the reader how something is. Jesus shed His blood during His scourging and on the cross, not in the garden.
Kelli Trujillo
Christine, I see what you're saying. However, I've heard some really convincing teachers who are versed in the original language of the Bible give some very convincing evidence that Jesus actually did sweat blood.
The bottom line is this: We can debate this particular issue, but we don't have to divide over it. It's non-essential to the Christian faith, and really doesn't matter much in the end. I choose to believe the evidence I've heard on the topic from some very good Bible teachers. I respect your point of view.