Matthew 26:42

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:42 captures the poignant second prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, a moment of profound spiritual anguish and ultimate resolve. Here, Jesus reiterates His plea to His Father regarding the "cup" of suffering, expressing the depth of His human aversion to the impending crucifixion, yet immediately surrendering His will to the divine purpose. This verse powerfully illustrates Christ's perfect obedience and His unyielding commitment to fulfilling the Father's redemptive plan for humanity, even at the cost of unimaginable suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the Passion narrative of Matthew's Gospel, specifically within the crucial Gethsemane episode (Matthew 26:36-46). It follows Jesus' initial prayer in Matthew 26:39, where He first expresses His desire for the "cup" to pass, if possible, but concludes with submission. The repetition of the prayer in verse 42, after finding His disciples asleep for the second time (Matthew 26:40-41), underscores the intensity of His struggle and the disciples' inability to comprehend or share in His burden. This sequence highlights Jesus' isolation and the escalating spiritual pressure He faced as the hour of His betrayal and crucifixion drew near. The narrative flow emphasizes His unwavering commitment to God's will despite profound human agony, setting the stage for His arrest and trial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place for Jesus and His disciples, often used for prayer and retreat. The "cup" metaphor, central to this prayer, carries significant Old Testament weight, frequently symbolizing divine judgment, wrath, or destiny (e.g., [Psalm 75:8](/psalms/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of God's Wrath"); [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of Trembling")). For a Jewish audience, this imagery would immediately evoke the idea of God's righteous indignation against sin, a burden Jesus was preparing to bear. The setting just before Passover, a time commemorating liberation from bondage, adds layers of irony and prophetic fulfillment, as Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, prepares to secure ultimate freedom through His sacrifice.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:42 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew and the broader New Testament. Foremost among them is the theme of **Christ's perfect obedience and submission to God's will**. Despite His human desire to avoid suffering, Jesus' repeated declaration, "thy will be done," exemplifies the ultimate model of filial devotion and obedience, a stark contrast to Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This verse also profoundly illustrates the **humanity and divinity of Christ**; He is fully human, experiencing genuine fear and anguish in the face of death, yet fully divine in His steadfast commitment to His redemptive mission. The "cup" itself is a powerful symbol of **atoning suffering**, representing the full weight of God's wrath against sin that Jesus would absorb on the cross, thereby making salvation possible (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb signifies repetition, emphasizing that Jesus returned to prayer for a second time after finding His disciples asleep. The repeated action underscores the intensity of His spiritual struggle and the depth of His communion with the Father. It highlights His persistent and earnest supplication in the face of immense pressure.
* **cup (Greek, _potḗrion'_):** Literally a drinking vessel, "cup" here is a powerful metaphor for destiny, experience, or lot, particularly one involving suffering or divine judgment. In this context, it represents the full measure of God's wrath against sin that Jesus was about to bear on the cross, the bitter draught of atonement for humanity's transgressions.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** This term denotes a determination, purpose, decree, or volition. In Jesus' prayer, "thy will" refers to the Father's sovereign plan for redemption, which necessitated Christ's suffering and death. Jesus' submission to this "will" demonstrates His perfect alignment with the Father's redemptive purpose, even when it required immense personal cost.
* **be done (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb means "to cause to be," "to become," or "to happen." In the context of "thy will be done," it expresses Jesus' active and complete surrender to the Father's purpose, indicating not merely passive acceptance but a proactive embrace of the divine decree, allowing God's will to fully manifest through Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying,"**: This clause establishes the scene, emphasizing Jesus' persistent and repeated withdrawal for prayer. The act of "going away again" highlights His deep need for solitary communion with the Father in His hour of greatest trial, and the "second time" indicates the continuation and intensification of His spiritual agony from the initial prayer (Matthew 26:39).
* **"‹O my Father,"**: This intimate address reveals the profound relational bond between Jesus and God. "My Father" (Greek: _Patēr_) signifies a relationship of deep love, trust, and filial devotion, even in the midst of overwhelming distress. It underscores Jesus' unique identity as the Son and the personal nature of His communion with the first person of the Trinity.
* **"if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,"**: This is the core of Jesus' human plea. The "cup" symbolizes the full measure of suffering and divine wrath against sin that He was about to endure. The phrase "if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it" expresses the human desire to avoid the impending agony, yet simultaneously acknowledges the possibility that there is no other way for God's redemptive plan to be accomplished. It is a raw expression of His humanity, wrestling with the terrifying prospect of bearing the world's sin.
* **"thy will be done.›"**: This climactic declaration signifies Jesus' ultimate and complete submission. Despite the profound anguish and the desire for an alternative, Jesus' will perfectly aligns with the Father's. This phrase is not a resignation but a profound act of obedience and trust, affirming that the Father's sovereign plan for salvation, even through suffering, is supreme and good. It is the ultimate expression of perfect obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:42 employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is preeminent, with the "cup" serving as a potent symbol for the divine wrath and suffering Jesus was to endure on the cross. This symbol, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic literature, immediately conveys the immense spiritual and physical burden Christ was preparing to bear. The repetition of Jesus' prayer, noted by "again the second time," is a form of **anaphora** or **repetition for emphasis**, highlighting the intensity of His struggle and the unwavering nature of His submission. This repetition underscores the profound human agony Jesus experienced, making His ultimate obedience all the more remarkable. The contrast between Jesus' human desire ("if this cup may not pass away") and His divine resolve ("thy will be done") creates a powerful **juxtaposition**, illustrating the unique hypostatic union of Christ—fully God and fully man—and His triumph over human inclination through perfect obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:42 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ's obedience and the essence of the atonement. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reveals that His sacrifice was not a passive fate but an active, conscious, and agonizing choice to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan. The "cup" represents the full weight of God's holy wrath against sin, which Jesus willingly drank, thereby becoming the propitiation for our sins. This act of perfect submission, even unto death, underscores the depth of divine love and the absolute necessity of Christ's sacrifice for humanity's salvation. It teaches us that true obedience to God's will often involves suffering and self-denial, but it always leads to His ultimate glory and our ultimate good.

* [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")
* [Hebrews 5:7-8](/hebrews/5-7-8 "Hebrews 5:7-8 - Jesus' Prayers and Obedience")
* [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Doing the Father's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:42 offers a profound model for every believer facing trials and difficult decisions. Jesus' prayer teaches us that it is not only permissible but vital to bring our deepest fears, anxieties, and desires before God in honest prayer. He did not pretend that the "cup" was easy or desirable; He expressed His human aversion to it. Yet, His prayer culminates in absolute surrender: "thy will be done." This is the pinnacle of faith and trust, demonstrating that even when God's path for us involves suffering or appears daunting, His will is always perfect, good, and ultimately redemptive. For us, this means cultivating a spirit of radical trust, believing that God's plans for our lives are for our welfare and His glory, even when they require us to drink from a challenging "cup." It calls us to align our desires with His, finding peace and purpose in His sovereign design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cups" or difficult circumstances are you currently facing that you wish would "pass away"?**
* **How does Jesus' example of honest prayer combined with ultimate submission challenge your own prayer life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to say, "thy will be done," and what steps can you take to cultivate deeper trust in God's plan?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus praying "the second time" in Gethsemane?**

Answer: The mention of Jesus praying "the second time" (and later a third time in [Matthew 26:44](/matthew/26-44 "Matthew 26:44 - Jesus Prays a Third Time")) is highly significant. It underscores the profound intensity of His spiritual and emotional struggle as He contemplated the cross. The repetition highlights that His submission was not a casual or easy decision but a deliberate, agonizing choice made in the face of overwhelming human fear and suffering. It demonstrates His persistent and earnest communion with the Father, emphasizing the depth of His resolve to fulfill the divine will, even as His human nature recoiled from the impending agony. This repeated prayer also serves as a model for believers to persevere in prayer, especially during times of intense trial.

**What does the "cup" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In [Matthew 26:42](/matthew/26-42 "Matthew 26:42 - Jesus' Second Gethsemane Prayer"), the "cup" is a powerful biblical metaphor with deep roots in the Old Testament. It primarily symbolizes the full measure of divine judgment and wrath against sin. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah often used the imagery of a "cup of wrath" or "cup of trembling" to describe God's righteous indignation poured out upon nations or individuals ([Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury"); [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15 - The Cup of God's Wrath")). Therefore, when Jesus prays about this "cup," He is referring to the immense spiritual and physical suffering He was about to endure, specifically bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and God's just condemnation for it. His willingness to "drink it" signifies His voluntary and complete acceptance of this atoning sacrifice on behalf of all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:42 profoundly illuminates the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In this agonizing prayer, Jesus, the perfect Son, willingly embraces the "cup" of divine wrath and suffering that humanity deserved. This act of supreme obedience directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant (e.g., [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")) who would bear the iniquities of many. His submission, "thy will be done," is the linchpin of our salvation, demonstrating that the Father's will for humanity's redemption could only be accomplished through the Son's sacrificial death. Christ's Gethsemane struggle and subsequent obedience contrast sharply with Adam's disobedience in Eden, inaugurating a new humanity reconciled to God through His perfect life and atoning death. His drinking of the "cup" means that believers no longer face the wrath of God, but instead receive the "cup of blessing" (cf. [1 Corinthians 10:16](/1_corinthians/10-16 "1 Corinthians 10:16 - The Cup of Blessing")) and the "cup of salvation" (cf. [Psalm 116:13](/psalms/116-13 "Psalm 116:13 - The Cup of Salvation")) through His shed blood. The Gethsemane prayer, therefore, is not merely a historical event but the very moment where the Lamb of God consciously and resolutely set His face toward the cross, securing eternal life for all who believe (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

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;