Mark 14:36

36 "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."

Mark 14:36 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:36

And he said, Abba, Father
In the original text, the former of these is a Syriac word, and the latter a Greek one, explanative of the former, as in ( Romans 8:15 ) and ( Galatians 4:6 ) or the repetition is made, to express the vehemency of his affection, and his strong confidence in God, as his Father, amidst his distress, as the Syriac version renders it, (yba aba) , "Abba, my Father": or "my Father, my Father"; and so the Ethiopic version:

all things are possible unto thee;
so Philo the Jew F2, taking notice of Isaac's question about the burnt offering, and Abraham's answer to it, represents the latter as adding, in confirmation of it,

``all things are possible to God, and which are both difficult and impossible to be done by men;''

suggesting, that God could easily provide a lamb for a sacrifice; and Christ here intimates, that every thing consistent with his perfections, counsels, and covenant, were possible to be done by him; and how far what he prays for, was agreeable to these, he submits to him, and to his sovereign will:

take away this cup from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what
thou wilt: (See Gill on Matthew 26:39).


FOOTNOTES:

F2 De Abrahamo, p. 374.

Mark 14:36 In-Context

34 and he said to them, "My heart is so filled with sadness that I could die! Remain here and stay awake."
35 Going on a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him:
36 "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."
37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Kefa, "Shim`on, are you asleep? Couldn't you stay awake one hour?
38 Stay awake, and pray that you will not be put to the test -- the spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak."
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.