Mark 14:35
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the ground
G1093
γῆς
the ground
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
7 of 18
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δυνατόν
possible
G1415
δυνατόν
possible
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
12 of 18
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
ἐστιν
it were
G2076
ἐστιν
it were
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
13 of 18
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
παρέλθῃ
might pass
G3928
παρέλθῃ
might pass
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
14 of 18
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Gethsemane ('oil press') was an olive grove on the Mount of Olives, a place Jesus frequented for prayer (Luke 22:39). Mark's Gospel, traditionally based on Peter's testimony, provides the most visceral details of Christ's agony—Peter witnessed this scene from a distance before falling asleep. Written circa AD 50-60 for Roman Christians facing persecution, this passage showed that even Christ wrestled in prayer under extreme duress.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's genuine distress in prayer challenge shallow views of His humanity or superficial approaches to suffering?
- What does Jesus's submission ('if it were possible') teach about aligning your will with God's sovereignty in times of anguish?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground (ἔπιπτεν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς)—the imperfect tense suggests repeated prostration, not a single act. This vivid detail, unique to Mark's eyewitness account (likely from Peter), shows Christ's profound agony. The Greek proseucheto (ἠρχετο προσεύχεσθαι) implies continuous, agonizing prayer, not casual petition.
That, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him (ἵνα εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν παρέλθῃ ἀπ' αὐτοῦ ἡ ὥρα)—'the hour' (ἡ ὥρα) is Mark's technical term for Christ's appointed time of suffering and death (cf. Mark 14:41). The conditional 'if it were possible' acknowledges divine sovereignty while expressing genuine human distress. This demonstrates the hypostatic union: Christ's fully human will recoiling from the cup of divine wrath, even as His divine will remains fixed on redemption. He bore not merely physical death but the infinite weight of sin and separation from the Father.