New Testament · Gospel

Mark 14:35

Betrayal Begins

Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him. Mark 14:35 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Mark 14:35, in plain English

Jesus went a little further, fell to the ground, and prayed that if there was any other way, this cup of suffering might pass Him by.

Why it's here

He didn't pretend it was easy. He didn't hide His dread. Jesus felt the full weight of what was coming and brought that honest fear to His Father.

Who's speaking

Mark describes Jesus' prayer in the garden.

Where it sits in the story

Face in the dirt, heart breaking, Jesus prayed the most honest prayer ever prayed. He didn't want to die. But He was willing to. That's what obedience looks like.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus falls to the ground (Greek: epipten epi tes ges) in the posture of ultimate submission and prays for the 'hour' (hora) — a theologically loaded term in Mark for the appointed time of His passion — to pass.

Language and setting

The 'hour' in Mark's Gospel represents the divinely appointed moment of Jesus' suffering and death (cf. Mark 14:41), and His prayer acknowledges both its reality and its terrifying approach.

Voice

Mark narrates Jesus' posture and prayer.

Significance

Jesus prostrates Himself in prayer, expressing the deepest possible human desire to avoid suffering while simultaneously submitting to the Father's will.

In context

Mark 14:33–37

33He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.

34Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”

35Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him.

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

37Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?

Read all of Mark 14 — A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume while Judas negotiates his price. The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Peter's denial unfold in rapid succession.

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