Gethsemane's anguish reveals Jesus' humanity and divinity. 'Abba, Father' combines Aramaic intimacy (Abba—'Papa') with Greek formality (Patēr), expressing the relationship's depth. This unique address appears only here in the Gospels (also Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6 describing believers' Spirit-enabled prayer). 'All things are possible unto thee' affirms God's omnipotence—no external constraint limits Him. Yet Jesus prays 'take away this cup,' referring to divine wrath He must drink (see Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). The 'cup' isn't merely physical death but bearing sin's curse and experiencing God-forsakenness. 'Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' displays perfect submission of human will to divine will. This isn't fatalism but active choosing—Jesus voluntarily accepts the Father's plan. The two wills (human and divine) in one person demonstrates the hypostatic union. This prayer models Christian submission while honestly expressing human emotion and desire.
Historical Context
Gethsemane ('oil press') was an olive grove on the Mount of Olives where Jesus often prayed. The Passover full moon illuminated the garden. Jesus' emotional distress—'exceeding sorrowful unto death' (14:34), falling on ground (14:35), sweating blood (Luke 22:44)—shows genuine human agony. He knew crucifixion's horror from witnessing Roman executions: flogging, public humiliation, hours of suffocating torture, complete abandonment. But the physical suffering paled before spiritual agony: the sinless one becoming sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), experiencing the Father's wrath. The disciples' sleep (14:37, 40, 41) during His greatest need prefigured their scattering (14:50), emphasizing Jesus' isolation. Yet the Father's 'cup' couldn't be removed—no other way existed for redemption.
Questions for Reflection
How does Jesus' honest struggle in prayer give you permission to bring real emotions to God?
Where do you need to move from 'what I will' to 'what thou wilt' in submitted trust?
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Analysis & Commentary
Gethsemane's anguish reveals Jesus' humanity and divinity. 'Abba, Father' combines Aramaic intimacy (Abba—'Papa') with Greek formality (Patēr), expressing the relationship's depth. This unique address appears only here in the Gospels (also Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6 describing believers' Spirit-enabled prayer). 'All things are possible unto thee' affirms God's omnipotence—no external constraint limits Him. Yet Jesus prays 'take away this cup,' referring to divine wrath He must drink (see Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). The 'cup' isn't merely physical death but bearing sin's curse and experiencing God-forsakenness. 'Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' displays perfect submission of human will to divine will. This isn't fatalism but active choosing—Jesus voluntarily accepts the Father's plan. The two wills (human and divine) in one person demonstrates the hypostatic union. This prayer models Christian submission while honestly expressing human emotion and desire.