Matthew 26:39
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
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 29
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πρόσωπον
face
G4383
πρόσωπον
face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
6 of 29
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 29
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 29
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 #:
11 of 29
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
δυνατόν
possible
G1415
δυνατόν
possible
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
14 of 29
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
παρελθέτω
let
G3928
παρελθέτω
let
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
16 of 29
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 #:
17 of 29
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον
cup
G4221
ποτήριον
cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
20 of 29
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
πλὴν
nevertheless
G4133
πλὴν
nevertheless
Strong's:
G4133
Word #:
22 of 29
moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
24 of 29
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
θέλω
will
G2309
θέλω
will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
26 of 29
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Cross References
John 6:38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.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.Philippians 2:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;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 14:31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.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 11:41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.Numbers 16:22And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
Historical Context
In Jewish sacrificial practice, the priest examined the lamb to ensure it had no blemish (Exodus 12:5). Gethsemane was Christ's self-examination—the spotless Lamb of God fully aware of the sacrifice he was about to make. The 'cup' imagery was deeply rooted in Jewish understanding of divine judgment. To drink someone's cup meant to share their fate. Jesus would drink the full cup of God's wrath so that believers might drink the cup of salvation (Psalm 116:13).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's request 'if it be possible' combined with 'not as I will, but as thou wilt' model the proper balance of honest petition and ultimate submission in prayer?
- What does the fact that the cup could not pass reveal about the absolute necessity of the cross for human redemption?
- How does contemplating what was in the 'cup' (God's wrath against all sin) deepen your gratitude for Christ's willing substitution?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Fell on his face (ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, epesen epi prosōpon autou)—the posture of extreme humility and desperate supplication. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me—the 'cup' (ποτήριον, potērion) represents not death itself but the cup of God's wrath against sin that the prophets described (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). Jesus, in genuine human nature, recoiled from this infinite horror. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (πλὴν οὐχ ὡς ἐγὼ θέλω ἀλλ᾽ ὡς σύ, plēn ouch hōs egō thelō all' hōs su)—the pivot from human desire to divine submission.
This prayer reveals both natures of Christ: his humanity genuinely shrinking from the cup, his deity willingly submitting to the Father's redemptive plan. The garden agony makes clear that Christ's sacrifice was no passive martyrdom but an active, costly, willing substitution. The cup could not pass—there was no other way (Hebrews 2:10).