Matthew 26:39

 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.

a. NASB 1995: And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”  [NASB95 New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation; All Rights Reserved]

b. YLT: And having gone forward a little, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou.'  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire.  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: 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; but let it be, not as I will, but as you. [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. ESV: And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."]

f. Unless otherwise stated, all greek and Hebrew definitions are from Blue Letter Bible

1. “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…” 

a. And [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. [he went a] little [Strong: 3397 mikrón, mik-ron'; masculine or neuter singular of G3398 (as noun); a small space of time or degree:—a (little) (while).]

c. further [Strong: 4281 proérchomai, pro-er'-khom-ahee; from G4253 and G2064 (including its alternate); to go onward, precede (in place or time):—go before (farther, forward), outgo, pass on.]

d. [and] fell [Strong: 4098 píptō, pip'-to; probably akin to G4072 through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):—fail, fall (down), light on.]

e. on [Strong: 1909 epí, ep-ee'; a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:—about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, × have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.]

f. his [Strong: 846 autós, ow-tos'; from the particle αὖ aû (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); 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:—her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

g. face [Strong: 4383 prósōpon, pros'-o-pon; from G4314 and ὤψ ṓps (the visage, from G3700); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:—(outward) appearance, × before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.]

h. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

i. prayed [Strong: 4336 proseúchomai, pros-yoo'-khom-ahee; from G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship:—pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.]

j. saying [Strong: 3004 légō, leg'-o; a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:—ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

k. [O] my [Strong: 3450 moû, moo; the simpler form of G1700; of me:—I, me, mine (own), my.]

l. Father [Strong: 3962 patḗr, pat-ayr'; apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):—father, parent.]

m. if [Strong: 1487 ei, i; a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:—forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether.]

n. [it] be [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

o. possible [Strong: 1415 dynatós, doo-nat-os'; from G1410; powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible:—able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.]

p. [let] this [Strong: 5124 toûto, too'-to; neuter singular nominative or accusative case of G3778; that thing:—here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]

q. [Strong: 3588. [to] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [to] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

r. cup [Strong: 4221 potḗrion, pot-ay'-ree-on; neuter of a derivative of the alternate of G4095; a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e. a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate:—cup.]

s. pass [Strong: 3928 parérchomai, par-er'-khom-ahee; from G3844 and G2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert:—come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress.]

t. from [Strong: 575 apó, apo'; a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):—(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with.]

u. me [Strong: 1700 emoû, em-oo'; a prolonged form of G3449; of me:—me, mine, my.]

1). Though it is in Luke’s gospel and not in Matthew’s gospel, Luke records an intense moment during his prayer in Gethsemane. A moment where God had to send an angel to strengthen Jesus.

a). Luke 22:42-44   Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

b). Rick Renner, Paid in Full: This mental and spiritual battle Jesus experienced that night in the Garden of Gethsemane was intense. In fact, Luke 22:44 says, “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.” I want you to especially notice the word “agony” in this verse, It comes from the Greek word agonidzo, a word that refers to a struggle, a fight, great exertion or effort. It is a word often used in the New Testament to convey the idea of anguish, pain, distress, and conflict.The word agonidzo itself comes from the word agon, which is the word that depicts the athletic conflict and competition that we so famous in the ancient world. The Holy Spirit used this word to picture Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal. This tells us that Jesus was thrown into a great struggle or an intense fight that night. Knowing that the cross and the grave were before him, He cried, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me…” Luke 22:42. The spiritual pressure that bore down upon Jesus’ soul was so overwhelming that he Bible says it was agonidzo, or agony. It was so strenuous that it involved all of Jesus’ spirit, and soul, and body. He was in the greatest fight He had ever known up to that moment. Jesus’ intense level of agony is depicted in the phrase, “...he prayed more earnestly…” The word “earnestly” is the Greek word ektenes, a Greek word that means to be extended or to be stretched out.. A person in this kind of agony might drop to the ground, writhing in pain and rolling around on the ground. This word ektenes presents the picture of a person who is pushed to the limit and can’t be stretched much more. He is on the brink of all he can possibly endure. Jesus emotional state was so intense that it says ‘...his sweat was at it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” The “sweat” is the greek word idros. The word “drops” is the Greek word thrombos, a medical word that points to blood that is unusally thickly clotted. When these two words are joined, they depict a medical condition called Hematidrosis, a condition that occurs only in individuals who are in a highly emotional state. Because the mind is under such great mental and emotional pressure, it sends signals of stress throughout the human body. These signals become so strong that the body reacts as if it were under actual physical pressure. As a result, the first and second layers of skin separate, causing a vacuum to form between them. Thickly clotted blood seeps from this vacuum, oozing through the pores of the skin. Once the blood seeps through, it mingles with the sufferer’s sweat that pores from his skin as a result of his intense inner struggle. I the end, the blood and sweat mix  together in droplets and floor down the victim’s face to the ground.  

2). Jesus was facing being made our sin, being separated from the Father and the Holy Spirit and suffering in hell for three days.Many Bible scholars teach that in Isaiah 53:10 where the Scripture says , “…thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed…” and in Isaiah 53:11 where it says, “he shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” that it is referring to his physical and soulish life only and that this took place in totality on the cross before Jesus died. Others teach that Jesus did partake of spiritual death, forsaken of the Father, but that it was momentary and before Jesus died physically Jesus was no longer forsaken of the Father. These good men of God teach that ALL of the substitutionary work of Christ took place on the cross [The NLT and the NIV follow that thought.]  They believe that when Jesus uttered the words of John 19:30 “…It is finished…” immediately before he died it meant his substitutionary work of redemption was complete. But many other Bible scholars teach there are too many other passages in the New Covenant that reveal the total work of redemption was not completed when Jesus died. For example, the resurrection did not happen until three days later and Jesus still had to put His sinless blood on the mercy seat in Heaven.  I believe that Scripture is referring to more than just his physical life here, it is that, but it’s more than that. His suffering is physical, spiritual, and mental/emotional/soulish, it is all included in this offering. As we know from Scripture, man is spirit, soul and body [1 Thessalonians 5:23]. Other than perhaps Deuteronomy 6:4, 5, this three part division of man was not clearly revealed through the Scriptures until the New Covenant was given. It seems to me that because man could not get born again until Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to establish the New Covenant, it was not necessary to give that revelation. We also know from Scripture that when the Bible speaks of death it is referring to separation. In physical death the spirit and soul leave the physical body, and the body begins to rot, but the spirit and the soul continue to exist. Whether a person goes to heaven or hell, the spirit and soul go together. In light of this reasoning, when the Scripture speaks of the “soul” of Christ being made an offering for sin, it is referring to the whole man, spirit, soul and body. I personally believe that this offering for sin was accomplished by the sufferings he endured from immediately before his arrest until sometime before his resurrection three days later, including his suffering in hell. 

a).  Psalm 71:20, 21 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

71:21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

b). Psalm 88:1-7 O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

88:2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

88:5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

88:7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.

c). Acts 2:25-31 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

d). Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2. “...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

a. nevertheless [Strong: 4133 plḗn, plane; from G4119; moreover (besides), i.e. albeit, save that, rather, yet:—but (rather), except, nevertheless, notwithstanding, save, than.]

b. not [Strong: 3756 ou, oo; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. as [Strong: 5613 hōs, hoce; probably adverb of comparative from G3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):—about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, × with all speed.]

d. I [Strong: 1473 egṓ, eg-o'; a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):—I, me.]

e. will [Strong: 2309 thélō, thel'-o; apparently strengthened from the alternate form of G138; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:—desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).]

f. but [Strong: 235 allá, al-lah'; neuter plural of G243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):—and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

g. as [Strong: 5613 hōs, hoce; probably adverb of comparative from G3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):—about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, × with all speed.]

h. thou [wilt] [Strong: 4771 sý, soo; the personal pronoun of the second person singular; thou:—thou.]