Mark 14:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.

NIV: Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.

NASB: And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words.

CSB: Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing.

NLT: Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before.

KJV: And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

NKJV: Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.

Jesus knows that He will have to face the crucifixion and the corresponding separation from God. He has known this since before He joined the Father and the Holy Spirit in creating the world. Still, He prays that the Father will make a way so that He will not have to endure what He must (Mark 14:35–36).

It may seem odd to pray when God knows everything; odder still to pray for something we're pretty sure is not in God's plan. Prayer is more than pushing buttons on a vending machine. It is a way to acknowledge our feelings and put them into words, so God can work in us and make our hearts more in line with His. Jesus shows that there is nothing wrong with going to God and admitting our fear and reluctance to follow Him—if we hold on to the submission to Him and resolve to obey Him anyway. Our time with God in prayer will give us strength and courage to face what we must. It will help clear away resentment and replace it with love and trust. If Jesus needed this time with God, it's foolish to think we don't.

When Jesus starts praying, He is so distressed He feels like He could die (Mark 14:34). He sweats so profusely the drops are like drops of blood (Luke 22:44). As He prays, an angel comes to comfort Him (Luke 22:43). But Peter, James, and John can't keep their eyes open (Mark 14:40). May we pray and watch that we don't fall into temptation.

Mark 14:32–42 contains Jesus' wait in the garden of Gethsemane. This describes Jesus' example and the disciples' catastrophic failure to follow the general theme of Jesus' admonition in Mark 13:32–37. Jesus watches how God moves and prays for His part in it. The disciples sleep. Three times, their Master finds them unconscious, both physically and spiritually (Mark 13:35–36). They do not take the time, as Jesus does, to prepare for the hardships in front of them. They so expect Jesus' victory over the Roman occupiers they don't prepare for His spiritual war on the cross. This story is also in Matthew 26:36–46 and Luke 22:39–46.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.