Matthew 26:42
He 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.
Original Language Analysis
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
1 of 25
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
ἐκ
the
G1537
ἐκ
the
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
2 of 25
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δευτέρου
second time
G1208
δευτέρου
second time
Strong's:
G1208
Word #:
3 of 25
(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
ἀπελθὼν
He went away
G565
ἀπελθὼν
He went away
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
4 of 25
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 25
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 #:
7 of 25
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτὴριον
cup
G4221
ποτὴριον
cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
14 of 25
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
παρελθεῖν
pass away
G3928
παρελθεῖν
pass away
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
15 of 25
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 #:
16 of 25
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
18 of 25
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
19 of 25
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
αὐτὸ
it
G846
αὐτὸ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 25
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
γενηθήτω
be done
G1096
γενηθήτω
be done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
22 of 25
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
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.Hebrews 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Historical Context
This occurred in Gethsemane ('oil press'), an olive grove on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, Thursday night before crucifixion. Jesus took Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden (26:37) while He prayed alone. The progression through three prayers shows increasing resignation to the Father's will. Luke 22:44 notes His sweat 'like great drops of blood'—possibly hematidrosis, where extreme stress causes blood to mix with sweat. The garden represents the Second Adam's obedience contrasted with Eden's First Adam's disobedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's progression from 'if possible' to 'Your will be done' model wrestling with God's hard will while ultimately submitting?
- What does Christ's costly submission to the Father's will teach about the price of your redemption?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He 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 (πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου ἀπελθὼν προσηύξατο λέγων, Πάτερ μου, εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω, γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου)—The second prayer shows progression from 'if possible, let this cup pass' (26:39) to 'if it cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.' The conditional εἰ οὐ δύναται παρελθεῖν ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω ('if this cannot pass unless I drink it') acknowledges the necessity of the cross for salvation. The Father's silence to the first prayer answered it—the cup could not pass; atonement required Christ's drinking judgment's full measure.
Thy will be done (γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου)—The aorist imperative γίνομαι expresses submission: 'Let Your will happen.' This echoes the Lord's Prayer (6:10) but now Jesus personally embraces the costly will He taught others to pray. Here is the incarnate Son's voluntary submission to the Father's redemptive plan. The agony reveals the cost; the submission reveals the love. Christ's humanity recoiled from sin-bearing; His deity resolved to accomplish it.