Sweat
Summary
Perspiration resulting from labor or distress—notably Christ's 'sweat like great drops of blood' during His agony in Gethsemane.
☩Part of the Curse
After Adam's sin, God declared that man would eat bread 'in the sweat of thy face' until returning to the dust. This represented toilsome labor as a consequence of the Fall. Priests were forbidden garments that cause sweat in sanctuary service, symbolizing that human effort has no place in approaching God's holiness.
☩Christ's Agony
In Gethsemane, Christ's sweat 'became as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.' The Greek word 'thromboi' means clots, indicating heavy, thick drops. Whether this was actual bloody sweat (haematidrosis) or a comparison emphasizing the sweat's intensity and heaviness is debated. Medical science acknowledges that extreme mental emotion can force blood into cutaneous excretories.
☩Medical Explanation
The phenomenon known as 'bloody sweat' has been recorded in ancient and modern times, caused by violent mental emotion. Dr. Millingen explains it arises from 'a violent commotion of the nervous system, turning the streams of blood out of their natural course.' This underscores the intensity of Christ's spiritual suffering as He faced the cross.
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Sweat," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Sweat," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sweat," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Sweat," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sweat," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sweat," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sweat," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).