Mark 14:35

35 And, going forward a little, he fell upon the earth; and he prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

Mark 14:35 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:35

And he went forward a little
About a stone's cast, ( Luke 22:41 ) ,

and fell on the ground, and prayed;
he fell on his face to the ground, which was a praying posture. One of the Jewish canons concerning it, is this ^F1:

``worshipping, how is it done? after a man has lifted up his head; he bows it five times, he sits upon the ground, and "falls upon his face", (hura) , "to the ground", and supplicates with whatsoever supplication he pleases: worshipping, or bowing, is the stretching out of hands and feet, until a man is found cast upon his face to the ground.''

(See Gill on Matthew 26:39). The supplication Christ made in this posture was,

that, it were possible, the hour might pass from him;
the time fixed and agreed upon for his sufferings and death; that is, that it might pass without his enduring them, if there was any possibility of excusing him, and of his people's being saved without them; (See Gill on Matthew 26:39).

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 Maimon. Hilch. Tephilla, c. 5. sect. 13.

Mark 14:35 In-Context

33 And he takes with him Peter and James and John, and he began to be amazed and oppressed in spirit.

34 And he says to them, My soul is full of grief even unto death; abide here and watch.

35 And, going forward a little, he fell upon the earth; and he prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: take away this cup from me; but not what *I* will, but what *thou* [wilt].

37 And he comes and finds them sleeping. And he says to Peter, Simon, dost thou sleep? Hast thou not been able to watch one hour?