Mark 14:35

35 And having gone forward a little, he fell upon the earth, and was praying, that, if it be possible the hour may pass 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).


FOOTNOTES:

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

Mark 14:35 In-Context

33 and he taketh Peter, and James, and John with him, and began to be amazed, and to be very heavy,
34 and he saith to them, `Exceeding sorrowful is my soul -- to death; remain here, and watch.'
35 And having gone forward a little, he fell upon the earth, and was praying, that, if it be possible the hour may pass from him,
36 and he said, `Abba, Father; all things are possible to Thee; make this cup pass from me; but, not what I will, but what Thou.'
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter, `Simon, thou dost sleep! thou wast not able to watch one hour!
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.