John 18:11
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 24
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
6 of 24
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Βάλε
Put up
G906
Βάλε
Put up
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
7 of 24
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μάχαιραν
sword
G3162
μάχαιραν
sword
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
9 of 24
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
11 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον
the cup
G4221
ποτήριον
the cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
15 of 24
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
δέδωκέν
hath given
G1325
δέδωκέν
hath given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
17 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
my Father
G3962
πατὴρ
my Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
20 of 24
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Matthew 26:39And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.Matthew 20:22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.John 20:17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.John 15:10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Matthew 26:42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.2 Corinthians 10:4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)Luke 22:42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Historical Context
The cup metaphor would resonate deeply with Jesus's disciples and John's readers, steeped in Old Testament imagery. Prophets described God's judgment as a cup of trembling and fury that Jerusalem must drink (Isaiah 51:17-22, Ezekiel 23:31-34). The Passover cup ceremony, which Jesus had just reinterpreted in the upper room (Luke 22:20), provided immediate context—the new covenant in His blood. In the ancient world, drinking someone's cup could signify sharing their fate or accepting their appointed portion. Jesus's willing acceptance of His Father's cup meant embracing the full penalty for sin—physical torture, spiritual desolation, and death itself.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's rebuke of Peter challenge our attempts to avoid suffering or protect ourselves from God's appointed trials?
- What is the significance of Jesus describing His suffering as a cup given by the Father, not imposed by Satan or human enemies?
- In what ways does Christ's drinking the cup of God's wrath secure our salvation and spare us from judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus's rebuke is immediate and emphatic: "Put up thy sword into the sheath" (βάλε τὴν μάχαιραν εἰς τὴν θήκην/bale tēn machairan eis tēn thēkēn). The aorist imperative βάλε (bale) means "cast, throw, put"—a forceful command to immediately cease armed resistance. Peter's attempt to prevent Jesus's arrest directly opposed the Father's will, making it satanic in nature—recall Jesus's "Get behind me, Satan" to Peter in Matthew 16:23.
Then Jesus asks the rhetorical question: "the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (τὸ ποτήριον ὃ δέδωκέν μοι ὁ πατήρ, οὐ μὴ πίω αὐτό;/to potērion ho dedōken moi ho patēr, ou mē piō auto). The ποτήριον (potērion, "cup") metaphorically represents suffering, judgment, and divine wrath throughout Scripture (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17). The perfect tense δέδωκεν (dedōken, "has given") emphasizes the Father's completed sovereign appointment of Christ's suffering.
The double negative οὐ μὴ (ou mē) with the subjunctive creates the strongest possible negation in Greek—"I absolutely will drink it." This is not passive resignation but active obedience. Jesus drinks the cup of God's wrath against sin so His people never taste that cup (Revelation 14:10). The possessive "my Father" reveals the relational context of Jesus's obedience—He submits not to abstract fate but to His loving Father's will.