Mark 14:39

What does Mark 14:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:39 means

Jesus goes away and prays again, saying the same words. His persistence shows that repeated, honest prayer is fitting in deep trial. He does not change the Father; He is strengthened to embrace the Father’s will. Repetition is not unbelief here; it is perseverance. The cup will not pass, but the Savior will be readied to drink it. By praying the same words, He models steadfastness in submission. The garden becomes holy ground where the victory of obedience is won inwardly before it is displayed outwardly at the arrest and the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again he went away, and said a prayer, using the same words.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And again having gone away, he prayed, the same word saying;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going away again, he prayed, saying the same words.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And going away, he prayed again, saying the same thing.

Context

Following His exhortation, Jesus resumes prayer with the same plea and surrender. This is the second movement in the threefold pattern. The disciples will again be found sleeping, showing the contrast between His watchfulness and their weakness. The narrative’s cadence of prayer and sleep prepares readers for the decisive turn: the hour has arrived, and the betrayer is at hand. Jesus rises from prayer resolute, while the disciples are unprepared for the trial that immediately descends upon them.

v.38Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

v.39This passage

v.40And again he came, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they knew not what to answer him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 18:1

    And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • 2 Corinthians 12:8

    Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

  • Matthew 6:7

    And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

  • Matthew 26:42

    Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.

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