One of the most poignant moments in the life of Jesus is recorded in Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, and Luke 22:39-46. Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray on the night before his crucifixion. While his disciples slept, Jesus experienced deep emotional turmoil and anguish, praying fervently to God the Father and asking if there was any way to avoid the suffering that awaited him. Three times he prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
What did Jesus mean by asking for this “cup” to be taken from him? And why did he submit his will to the Father’s will, despite his agonizing prayer? Examining the Old Testament background and New Testament context of this passage provides insight into the depth of meaning in Jesus’ words.
The “Cup” as a Symbol of God’s Wrath
In the Old Testament, the image of drinking from a cup is often used as a metaphor for undergoing God’s judgment and wrath against sin (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15-17). The “cup” contains the alcohol of God’s anger, which the people are forced to drink as punishment for their wickedness. Jeremiah prophesies that Jerusalem will drink this cup of wrath poured out by God, resulting in devastation and desolation (Jeremiah 25:15-17). Jesus, who was familiar with Old Testament prophetic language, likely had this metaphorical usage in mind when he referred to the “cup” he was facing.
By asking for the “cup” to be removed, Jesus was essentially asking to be spared from the wrath of God against sin that he would bear on the cross as a substitute for sinners (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). As the sinless Son of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15), Jesus did not deserve to experience the holy judgment of God. The cup of God’s anger was meant for sinners to drink, not the Sinless One. This explains the intense anguish Jesus felt in that moment – he was about to be punished in the place of sinful people by bearing the fury of God’s wrath.
Jesus’ Commitment to Fulfill His Mission
Despite his agonized prayer to avoid the cross, Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will. He had resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem and the cross (Luke 9:51), knowing it was necessary for him to suffer and die in order to accomplish the divine mission of providing salvation for lost sinners (Matthew 20:28; John 12:27). Jesus’ prayer reflects the tension between his two natures as fully God and fully man. As man, he naturally wanted to avoid pain and death. But as God, he was committed to finishing his saving work.
Jesus’ prayer also demonstrates that he was not a victim of circumstances outside his control. He was sovereignly choosing the path laid out for him. While he could have refused the cross and summoned legions of angels to his aid (Matthew 26:53), he instead bowed to the wisdom of the Father’s plan. By submitting in obedience in order to redeem sinners, Jesus successfully accomplished his mission (John 19:30).
Jesus Provided an Example of Submission
Jesus models submission to the Father even when faced with the most intense resistance of human nature. He teaches that true faith requires a willingness to obey God’s will completely, even embracing difficulties that seem beyond our ability to endure (Hebrews 5:7-8). Jesus provides a template for trusting the Father’s purposes and plans even amidst overwhelming trial.
For believers who face hardships, Jesus’ prayer offers assurance that God understands our human instinct to avoid suffering. It is not a sin to ask for the “cup” to be removed. After pleading honestly with the Father about his desire to avoid the cross, Jesus gained the strength to declare, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This commitment provides an example for believers to follow when they face trials of many kinds (1 Peter 2:21). God may not remove the “cup,” but he does provide strength and grace to endure it according to his will.
Jesus Bore God’s Wrath on the Cross
The cup of God’s wrath was not removed from Jesus. He became the suffering servant foretold by Isaiah, bearing sins that were not his own and carrying the griefs and sorrows of sinners (Isaiah 53:4-6, 11). The Father placed on Jesus the iniquity of mankind, exacting the penalty of death required by his just and holy law (Romans 6:23). God poured out his righteous anger at sin upon his Son, who took the wrath believers deserved (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10). This was the “cup” Jesus prayed so earnestly about, knowing it meant unimaginable spiritual and physical anguish on the cross.
Yet because Jesus drained the cup of God’s wrath completely, no condemnation remains for those who trust in him (Romans 8:1). His full payment for sins on the cross was accepted by the Father, providing redemption for those who believe (1 Peter 1:18-21). He drank the cup of wrath to the dregs so that sinners could be forgiven and reconciled with God.
Conclusions
Jesus’ heartfelt plea in Gethsemane provides profound insights about him as the God-man who gave himself sacrificially as a ransom for sinners (Mark 15:34; John 3:16). By praying for the “cup” to pass from him but still submitting to the Father’s will, Jesus displayed tremendous courage, endurance, and commitment to obey God completely. His strength to embrace the cross to provide redemption shows his all-surpassing love for lost people and desire for their salvation (Romans 5:6-8; Philippians 2:8). Jesus’ submission unto death sets an example for believers to follow when they are faced with their own “cup” of suffering.
Most gloriously, Jesus’ willingness to drink the cup of God’s wrath completely – with no mixture of his own sin deserving punishment – achieved full atonement for those who trust him. His finished work on the cross appeased God’s wrath against sin, bringing reconciliation between the holy God and sinful people. No wonder the apostles testified so faithfully about Christ crucified, proclaiming the message of forgiveness and new life available through his sacrifice (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Corinthians 2:2). The cup Jesus prayed about was filled with holy wrath at sin – a wrath believers no longer need to fear because of Christ’s sufficient work to save them.
