Mat 26:39, 41 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 39. And he went a little farther . That is, at the distance that a man could conveniently cast a stone, (Luke.) Fell on his face . Luke says, he "kneeled doom." He did both. He first kneeled, and then in the fervency of his prayer, and the depth of his sorrow, he fell with his face on the ground, denoting the deepest anguish, and the most earnest entreaty. This was the usual posture of prayer in times of great earnestness. See . If it be possible . That is, if the world can be redeemed; if it be consistent with justice, and with maintaining the government of the universe, that men should be saved without this extremity of sorrow, let it be done. There is no doubt that if it had been possible, it would have been done; and the fact that these sufferings were not removed, that the Saviour went forward and bore them without mitigation, shows that it was not consistent with the justice of God, and with the welfare of the universe, that men should be saved without the awful sufferings of such an atonement . Let this cup . These bitter sufferings. These approaching trials. The word cup is often used in this sense, denoting sufferings. . Not as I will, but as thou wilt . As Jesus was man, as well as God, there is nothing inconsistent in supposing that, like a man, he was deeply affected in view of these sorrows. When he speaks of his will, he expresses what human nature , in view of such great sufferings, would desire. It naturally shrunk from them, and sought deliverance. Yet he sought to do the will of God. He chose rather that the high purpose of God should be done, than that that purpose should be abandoned, and regard be shown to the fears of his human nature. In this he has left a model of prayer in all times of affliction. It is right , in times of calamity, to seek deliverance. Like the Saviour also, in such seasons, we should, we must submit cheerfully to the will of God, confident that, in all these trials, he is wise, and merciful, and good. (i) "and prayed" (k) "let this cup" (l) "nevertheless"

Matthew 26:39

Verse 39. And he went a little farther. That is, at the distance that a man could conveniently cast a stone, (Luke.)

Fell on his face. Luke says, he "kneeled doom." He did both. He first kneeled, and then in the fervency of his prayer, and the depth of his sorrow, he fell with his face on the ground, denoting the deepest anguish, and the most earnest entreaty. This was the usual posture of prayer in times of great earnestness. See Nu 16:22, 2Chr 20:18, Neh 8:6.

If it be possible. That is, if the world can be redeemed; if it be consistent with justice, and with maintaining the government of the universe, that men should be saved without this extremity of sorrow, let it be done. There is no doubt that if it had been possible, it would have been done; and the fact that these sufferings were not removed, that the Saviour went forward and bore them without mitigation, shows that it was not consistent with the justice of God, and with the welfare of the universe, that men should be saved without the awful sufferings of such an atonement.

Let this cup. These bitter sufferings. These approaching trials. The word cup is often used in this sense, denoting sufferings. Mt 20:22.

Not as I will, but as thou wilt. As Jesus was man, as well as God, there is nothing inconsistent in supposing that, like a man, he was deeply affected in view of these sorrows. When he speaks of his will, he expresses what human nature, in view of such great sufferings, would desire. It naturally shrunk from them, and sought deliverance. Yet he sought to do the will of God. He chose rather that the high purpose of God should be done, than that that purpose should be abandoned, and regard be shown to the fears of his human nature. In this he has left a model of prayer in all times of affliction. It is right, in times of calamity, to seek deliverance. Like the Saviour also, in such seasons, we should, we must submit cheerfully to the will of God, confident that, in all these trials, he is wise, and merciful, and good.

(i) "and prayed" Heb 5:7 (k) "let this cup" Mt 20:22 (l) "nevertheless" Jn 5:30, 6:38, Rom 15:3, Php 2:8

Matthew 26:41

Verse 41. Watch. See Mt 26:38. Greater trials are coming on. It is necessary, therefore, still to be on your guard.

And pray. Seek aid from God by supplication in view of the thickening calamities.

That ye enter not into temptation. That ye be not overcome and oppressed with these trials of your faith, so as to deny me. The word temptation here properly means, what would try their faith in the approaching calamities his rejection and death. It would try their faith, because though they supposed he was the Messiah, they were not very clearly aware of the necessity of his death; they did not fully understand that he was to rise again. They had cherished the belief that he was to establish a kingdom while he lived. When they should see him, therefore rejected, tried, crucified, dead; when they should see him submit to all this, as if he had not power to deliver himself, then would be the trial of their faith; and in view of it, he exhorted them to pray that they might not so enter temptation as to be overcome by it, and fall.

The spirit indeed is willing, etc. The mind, the disposition is ready, and disposed to bear these trials; but the flesh, the natural feelings, through the fear of danger, is weak, and will be likely to lead you astray when the trial comes. Though you may have strong faith, and believe now that you will not deny me, yet human nature is weak, shrinks at trials, and you should, therefore seek strength from on high. This was not intended for an apology for their sleeping, but to excite them, notwithstanding he knew that they loved him, to be on guard, lest the weakness of human nature should be insufficient to sustain them in the hour of their temptation.

(m) "Watch" Mk 13:33, 14:38, Lk 22:40, Eph 6:18, Rev 16:15 (n) "ye enter" Prov 4:14,15 (o) "into temptation" Rev 3:10 (p) "spirit indeed" Isa 26:8,9, Rom 7:18-25, Gal 5:17