APOLOGETICSSweating Blood
By Kelly Hollowell, J.D., Ph.D.
Can anyone ever really anguish to the point of sweating blood?
Science Ministries - Most Christians are familiar with the events that followed “The Last Supper.” Jesus went out, as usual, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples followed him, and “on reaching a place, he withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed … and being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
The question is, "how are we to understand this short but rather difficult passage?"
Christians believe that as Jesus went into the Garden at Gethsemane, He was anticipating the coming events of the next day. Certainly, this would have produced a great deal of psychological stress. Still, is it possible that Jesus could have anguished to the point of sweating blood? Or is this simply the product of an overactive imagination?
Skeptics frequently refer to this passage as one of many that calls the accuracy of Scripture into question. Certainly, if the description of events leading up to the death of Christ cannot be taken at face value, how can anyone believe the account of His resurrection? If untrue, skeptics would be justified in their view of the Bible as little more than a story for imparting good moral conduct on its believers.
But the writer of this Gospel is Luke. Luke was a well-educated man, a physician by profession, and a loyal friend.(1) His writing is viewed as very articulate and possessing great literary style that clearly demonstrates his command of the Greek language. Not only has archeological research confirmed that he was a careful historian, but the text itself clearly illustrates Luke’s intention to produce an accurate account of the events that occurred.
“Many have undertaken to draw an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who, from the first, were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may also know the certainty of the things you have been taught." (Luke 1:1-4)
Clearly, Luke is saying that he intends to write accurately about the things he investigated and found to be well supported. Therefore, it seems unlikely that he would have compromised, in any way, the narrative of what he observed that most important night in the Garden of Gethsemane. But can anyone ever really anguish to the point of sweating blood?The answer is a resounding yes. There is a very rare phenomenon, a medical condition, in which an individual can, indeed, sweat blood. It is called hematidrosis, and it is associated with a high degree of psychological stress. “What happens is that severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweat glands. As a result, there’s a small amount of bleeding into these sweat glands, and the sweat comes out tinged with blood.”(2)
So why was Luke the only one to record this aspect of Christ’s suffering? The answer is not known. Clearly, no single account of Christ’s life, as detailed by the Gospel record, is intended to be exhaustive. Each of the gospels appears to focus on different aspects of Jesus’ life. Quite possibly, it is because of Luke’s interest as a physician in this rare physiological phenomenon, that he is the only one to record this aspect of Christ’s suffering.
In any event, the discovery of this medical condition authenticates the Gethsemane account recorded by Luke. Once again, the Bible is revealed as authentic. Its science is revealed as accurate—and far in advance of its times. But it does far more: It speaks most dramatically of the intense spiritual agony Jesus was suffering as He faced the terrible trauma of death on the cross—of being made sin for the world.
Notes:
1) Henry M. Morris, THE DEFENDER’S STUDY BIBLE, p. 1533 (1995).
2) Lee Strobel, THE CASE FOR CHRIST, THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE, p. 195 (1998).
in my medical references, and it appears to be such a rare condition that it is not even mentioned except as a definition. There's no current research, no case studies, no pathology to speak of.
