Mark 14:36

KJV

And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G3004}, Abba {G5}, Father {G3962}, all things {G3956} are possible {G1415} unto thee {G4671}; take away {G3911} this {G5124} cup {G4221} from {G575} me {G1700}: nevertheless {G235} not {G3756} what {G5101} I {G1473} will {G2309}, but {G235} what {G5101} thou {G4771} wilt.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Abba!" (that is, "Dear Father!") "All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me! Still, not what I want, but what you want."

Berean Standard Bible

“Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

American Standard Version

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:36 captures Jesus' agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, a pivotal moment revealing His profound human struggle and divine submission just prior to His crucifixion. Addressing God with intimate affection as "Abba, Father," Jesus acknowledges the Father's omnipotence, expressing His human desire for the "cup" of suffering to be removed. Yet, with unparalleled devotion, He ultimately surrenders His personal will to the Father's perfect redemptive plan, embodying the ultimate act of obedience that secures humanity's salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the intensely dramatic narrative of Jesus' final hours before His arrest and crucifixion. Immediately preceding this prayer, Jesus leads His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of olive presses, signifying crushing pressure and suffering. He instructs most of them to wait, taking only Peter, James, and John deeper into the garden, revealing His "exceeding sorrowful" state, even "unto death" ([Mark 14:34](/mark/14-34 "Mark 14:34 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")). His repeated prayers and the disciples' inability to stay awake ([Mark 14:37-41](/mark/14-37-41 "Mark 14:37-41 - Disciples Sleep While Jesus Prays")) underscore the profound isolation and spiritual battle Jesus faced. This prayer is not a casual request but a wrestling with the full weight of His impending sacrifice, setting the stage for His arrest and trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place for Jesus and His disciples ([John 18:1-2](/john/18-1-2 "John 18:1-2 - Jesus Enters Gethsemane")). The practice of prayer in gardens or secluded places was common, allowing for quiet communion with God. The "cup" metaphor, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic literature, would have been understood by Jewish listeners as a symbol of divine wrath or appointed suffering, often associated with judgment ([Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of Trembling"); [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15 - The Wine Cup of Fury")). Jesus' use of "Abba" (Aramaic for "Father") was revolutionary, reflecting an unprecedented intimacy with God, distinct from the more formal address typical of Jewish prayer. This term, akin to "Daddy" or "Papa," highlights the unique filial relationship Jesus shared with the Father, a relationship to which believers are also invited through adoption ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")).
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:36 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. It highlights Jesus' **humanity and divine nature**, showcasing His genuine human anguish and His perfect divine obedience. The theme of **suffering and sacrifice** is central, as Jesus willingly embraces the "cup" that represents the full measure of God's wrath against sin, which He would bear on behalf of humanity. This act also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and human will**, demonstrating Jesus' complete trust in the Father's ultimate plan, even when it involved immense personal cost. Finally, it exemplifies **perfect submission to God's will**, serving as the ultimate model of discipleship and obedience, echoing Jesus' earlier statements about His mission to do the Father's will ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abba (Chaldee, _Abbâ'_):** This Aramaic term, transliterated into Greek, means "Father" and is a vocative form. Its use here by Jesus, and later by Paul in reference to believers ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption"); [Galatians 4:6](/galatians/4-6 "Galatians 4:6 - Crying Abba, Father")), signifies an intimate, affectionate, and familial address to God, far beyond a formal title. It conveys a deep sense of trust, dependency, and loving relationship.
* **possible (Greek, _dynatós'_):** Derived from the verb "to be able" or "to have power," this word describes God's inherent capability, strength, and omnipotence. Jesus' declaration, "all things are possible unto thee," is an affirmation of God's absolute power to accomplish anything, even to provide an alternative path to salvation if it were His will. It underscores the boundless nature of divine power.
* **will (Greek, _thélō'_):** This verb denotes a determined choice or preference stemming from subjective impulse. It speaks to a desire, an inclination, or a deliberate intention. In this verse, it highlights the distinction between Jesus' human desire to avoid suffering ("not what I will") and His ultimate, resolute decision to align with the Father's divine purpose ("but what thou wilt"), demonstrating perfect volitional submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Abba, Father,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the profound intimacy and directness of Jesus' prayer. "Abba" (Aramaic) followed by "Father" (Greek, _patḗr_) emphasizes the deep, personal, and unique relationship between Jesus and God. It's a cry of a beloved Son to His beloved Father, even in the throes of immense distress.
* **"all things are possible unto thee;"**: This is a powerful declaration of faith in God's omnipotence. Jesus acknowledges that the Father possesses limitless power and could, if He chose, alter the course of events. This is not a statement of doubt, but an affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to act in any way He deems fit.
* **"take away this cup from me:"**: Here, Jesus expresses His raw, human desire to avoid the impending suffering. The "cup" is a powerful **metaphor** for the divine wrath and judgment against sin that Jesus was about to bear on the cross, experiencing separation from the Father as He became sin for humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). It signifies the full measure of His redemptive suffering, both physical and spiritual.
* **"nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."**: This climactic phrase reveals the pinnacle of Jesus' obedience and submission. Despite His natural human aversion to suffering, He consciously and completely surrenders His will to the Father's perfect plan. This is the ultimate act of self-denial and trust, demonstrating that His primary purpose was to fulfill the Father's redemptive will, even unto death.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:36 is rich with literary devices that amplify its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically the "cup," which powerfully symbolizes the suffering, divine wrath, and judgment that Jesus was to endure on behalf of humanity. This metaphor is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic imagery, lending it significant weight and resonance. The use of **Aramaic Transliteration** ("Abba") immediately followed by its Greek equivalent ("Father") emphasizes the unique, intimate, and personal nature of Jesus' relationship with God, highlighting its profound significance for the audience. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast** ("not what I will, but what thou wilt"), which starkly juxtaposes Jesus' human desire to avoid suffering with His ultimate, unwavering commitment to the Father's divine will. This contrast underscores the intensity of His struggle and the depth of His obedience. The entire passage is also an example of **Prayer as Dialogue**, revealing a vulnerable yet resolute conversation between the Son and the Father, inviting readers into the sacred space of Jesus' deepest spiritual wrestling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:36 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the essence of true discipleship. It reveals God's absolute sovereignty and omnipotence, confirming that His will is ultimate and His power limitless. Simultaneously, it unveils the full humanity of Jesus, demonstrating His genuine fear and anguish in the face of immense suffering, yet without sin. His perfect submission to the Father's will, despite His human desire for an alternative, is the theological pivot point of salvation history, ensuring the atoning sacrifice. This verse underscores that God's plan, though it may involve suffering, is always perfect and ultimately redemptive, calling believers to emulate Christ's radical obedience and trust in divine wisdom.

* [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Gethsemane Prayer")
* [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer of Submission")
* [Hebrews 5:7-8](/hebrews/5-7-8 "Hebrews 5:7-8 - Christ's Obedience Learned Through Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane offers a profound and challenging model for our own lives of faith. It teaches us that authentic prayer is not about demanding our will from God, but about honestly expressing our deepest fears and desires, while ultimately surrendering to His perfect wisdom and love. Even the Son of God experienced profound anguish and wrestled with His human will, yet He chose obedience over comfort. This reminds us that faith does not exempt us from suffering or difficult choices, but it equips us to navigate them with divine strength and purpose. When we face our own "cups" of hardship, sickness, loss, or difficult callings, we are invited to bring our raw emotions before God, trusting in His omnipotence, but ultimately echoing Jesus' words: "not what I will, but what thou wilt." This posture of surrender, though challenging, leads to true peace, aligns us with God's redemptive purposes, and transforms our character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' raw honesty in prayer encourage you to bring your own fears and desires before God?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently facing a "cup" that you wish God would take away?**
* **What does it mean practically to say "not what I will, but what thou wilt" in your present circumstances?**
* **How does Jesus' submission in Gethsemane deepen your understanding of His love and sacrifice for you?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus pray for the cup to be taken away if He knew He had to die?**

Answer: Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reveals His full and genuine humanity. While He knew His divine mission was to die for the sins of the world, His human nature recoiled from the immense physical agony, spiritual separation from the Father, and the bearing of humanity's sin that the "cup" represented. This was not a prayer of doubt or a desire to abandon His mission, but an honest expression of His human will and anguish, submitted entirely to the Father's greater divine will. It demonstrates that His sacrifice was a conscious, agonizing choice, not a mere predetermined act, making His obedience all the more profound ([Hebrews 5:7-8](/hebrews/5-7-8 "Hebrews 5:7-8 - Christ's Obedience Learned Through Suffering")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:36 is a pivotal moment in the Christ-centered narrative of redemption, showcasing Jesus as the obedient Son who perfectly fulfills the Father's will. His agonizing prayer in Gethsemane, where He wrestled with the "cup" of divine wrath, foreshadows His ultimate victory on the cross. By submitting His human will to the Father's, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, taking upon Himself the sin of the world that we might be reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). This act of profound obedience in the garden directly leads to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, through which He secured eternal life for all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One Makes Many Righteous")). His Gethsemane surrender is the ultimate demonstration of His love and commitment to His redemptive mission, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")) and paving the way for believers to cry "Abba, Father" through the Spirit of adoption ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:16

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

John 5:30

I 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.

Hebrews 5:7

Who 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;

Hebrews 5:8

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

2 Timothy 2:13

If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.