Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 26:39

"And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." — Matthew 26:39 (ASV)

Jesus prays, prostrate in his intense anguish. He addresses God as “My Father” . The “cup” (GK 4539) refers not only to suffering and death but, as often in the OT (Psalms 75:7–8; Isaiah 51:19, 22; Jeremiah 25:15–16; et al.), also to God’s wrath; it anticipates 27:46.

In one sense all things are possible with God (Mark 14:36); in another some things are impossible. Thus Jesus prays that, if it be morally consistent with the Father’s redeeming purpose that his “cup” be taken from him, that is what he deeply desires. But more deeply still, Jesus desires to do his Father’s will. His deep commitment to his Father’s will cannot be doubted. But in this crisis, the worst since 4:1–11, Jesus is tempted to seek an alternative to sin-bearing suffering as the route by which to fulfill his Father’s redemptive purposes. He prays in agony; and though he is supernaturally strengthened , he learns only that the Cross is unavoidable if he is to obey his Father’s will.