Luke Chapter 22 · Verse 42

Authorized King James Version

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Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Original Language Analysis

λέγων, Saying G3004
λέγων, Saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Πάτερ Father G3962
Πάτερ Father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 2 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 3 of 19
if, whether, that, etc
βούλει thou be willing G1014
βούλει thou be willing
Strong's: G1014
Word #: 4 of 19
to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing
παρενεγκεῖν remove G3911
παρενεγκεῖν remove
Strong's: G3911
Word #: 5 of 19
to bear along or aside, i.e., carry off (literally or figuratively); by implication, to avert
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον cup G4221
ποτήριον cup
Strong's: G4221
Word #: 7 of 19
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
τοῦτο this G5124
τοῦτο this
Strong's: G5124
Word #: 8 of 19
that thing
ἀπ' from G575
ἀπ' from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 9 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἐμοῦ· me G1700
ἐμοῦ· me
Strong's: G1700
Word #: 10 of 19
of me
πλὴν nevertheless G4133
πλὴν nevertheless
Strong's: G4133
Word #: 11 of 19
moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 12 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημά will G2307
θέλημά will
Strong's: G2307
Word #: 14 of 19
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
μου my G3450
μου my
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 15 of 19
of me
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 16 of 19
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὸν thine G4674
σὸν thine
Strong's: G4674
Word #: 18 of 19
thine
γενέσθω be done G1096
γενέσθω be done
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 19 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

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 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.Mark 14:36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.Psalms 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.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 18:11Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?John 5:30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.John 6:38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.Isaiah 51:22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Analysis & Commentary

In Gethsemane, Jesus prays: 'Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.' This prayer reveals Jesus' genuine humanity—He shrinks from the horror of the cross, asking if there's another way. The 'cup' represents God's wrath against sin that Jesus will bear (Isaiah 51:17, 22). Yet Jesus immediately submits: 'nevertheless not my will, but thine.' The Greek 'plēn' (πλήν, nevertheless) indicates strong contrast—His desire versus God's will. Perfect obedience means submitting our desires to God's will, even when it means suffering. Jesus models this, choosing the Father's will over His own preferences.

Historical Context

Gethsemane means 'oil press'—fitting location for Jesus' crushing agony. He took Peter, James, and John to watch and pray (v. 40) but they fell asleep (v. 45). Jesus' anguish was so intense that He sweat drops like blood (hematidrosis, v. 44), a rare medical condition under extreme stress. An angel appeared strengthening Him (v. 43). This scene reveals redemption's cost—what Jesus willingly endured to save sinners. His prayer 'remove this cup' showed the cross's horror—not merely physical death but bearing God's wrath and separation from the Father. Yet He chose obedience over comfort, mission over ease.

Questions for Reflection