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.

He went away {G565} again {G3825} the {G1537} second time {G1208}, and prayed {G4336}, saying {G3004}, O my {G3450} Father {G3962}, if {G1487} this {G5124} cup {G4221} may {G1410} not {G3756} pass away {G3928} from {G575} me {G1700}, except {G3362} I drink {G4095} it {G846}, thy {G4675} will {G2307} be done {G1096}.

A second time he went off and prayed. "My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink it, let what you want be done."

A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”

Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Matthew 26:42 records the second of Jesus' agonizing prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing His profound struggle and ultimate submission to the Father's divine will just hours before His crucifixion. This verse is a cornerstone for understanding Christ's obedience and the depth of His sacrifice.

Context

This verse is situated in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following Jesus' first prayer (cf. Matthew 26:39) and His return to find His disciples asleep. The scene underscores the immense spiritual and emotional burden Jesus bore as He contemplated the cross. His repeated prayer highlights the intensity of His human desire to avoid the impending suffering, yet His unwavering commitment to God's predetermined plan for humanity's redemption.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Submission to God's Will: The central message is Jesus' complete surrender. Despite the terrifying prospect of the "cup," He declares, "thy will be done." This demonstrates perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death (Philippians 2:8).
  • The "Cup" of Suffering and Atonement: The "cup" is a powerful biblical metaphor representing divine judgment, suffering, and destiny. Here, it signifies the full weight of God's wrath against sin that Jesus was to bear on the cross. It was not merely physical pain but the spiritual agony of becoming sin for humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  • The Humanity and Divinity of Christ: Jesus' prayer reveals His genuine human struggle and aversion to suffering, yet His divine commitment to fulfill His mission. He is fully God and fully man, experiencing temptation and fear, but ultimately conquering through perfect obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cup" (Greek: potērion) in this context is a common biblical metaphor, often used to symbolize a person's destiny, portion, or experience, particularly one involving suffering or divine judgment (e.g., Isaiah 51:17; Revelation 14:10). Jesus' acceptance of this "cup" signifies His willingness to drink the bitter draught of God's holy wrath against sin, thereby providing salvation for all who believe.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:42 provides a profound model for believers facing difficult circumstances. It teaches us that:

  • Submission is Key: Even when God's will seems daunting or involves suffering, true faith involves surrendering our desires to His perfect plan.
  • Prayer in Agony: It's permissible to express our deepest fears and desires to God, but always with the ultimate resolve that His will, not ours, be done.
  • Trust in God's Purpose: Just as Jesus trusted the Father's redemptive purpose for the "cup," we can trust that God's plans for us are always good, even through trials (Jeremiah 29:11).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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].

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For 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.

  • Mark 14:39

    And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

  • Mark 14:40

    And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

  • Psalms 88:1

    ¶ A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee:

  • Psalms 88:2

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

  • 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;

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