Matthew 26:39
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Matthew 26:39
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.
Chapter Context
Matthew 26 is a biographical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of covenant, creation, grace. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-90 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christianity was separating from Judaism following Jerusalem's destruction.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-75: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Matthew and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Matthew 26:39
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.
Analysis
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).
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).
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?
Cross-References
- Prayer: Matthew 26:42, Hebrews 5:7
- Parallel theme: Matthew 20:22, Numbers 16:22, John 5:30, 6:38, 11:41, 14:31