Mark 14:35

35 After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of 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 He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel distressed and anguished.

34 He said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake."

35 After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him.

36 He said, "Abba! Father! You can do anything. Take this cup [of suffering] away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine."

37 He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour?