Mark 14:35

35 Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering.

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 along with him. He began to feel despair and was anxious.

34 He said to them, "I'm very sad. It's as if I'm dying. Stay here and keep alert."

35 Then he went a short distance farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, he might be spared the time of suffering.

36 He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible. Take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want."

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