Luke 22:42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:

Spoken to
Apostles

Praying alone on the Mount of Olives. 

KJV

Luke 22:42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

NIV

Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

LISTENERS HEARD

Father, if you want, this cup here passes by from me. Except not this will of mine instead that of yours must happen.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The verb translated as "remove" and "take" means something more like "pass by". It is not a command or request from God. The subject is the cup.

The word translated as "be done", means "must happen". The verb generally means "become" or "come into being". The "must" comes from its form, which is a third-person command. A word form that we do not have in English. Our commands are all second-person, spoken to the one being commanded. This is spoken to someone about another thing doing something necessary. 

 

MY TAKE

Jesus want to take a hard pass.

GREEK ORDER

 

Πάτερ, εἰ βούλει     παρένεγκε τοῦτο τὸ  ποτήριον ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ: πλὴν  μὴ   τὸ  θέλημά μου       
Father, if you want, passes by   here   this cup          from me.  Except not this will       of mine 

ἀλλὰ    τὸ         σὸν   γινέσθω.
instead that of yours must happen.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9

Father, if thou be willing, remove(WW,WF) this(CW) (MW) cup from me: nevertheless not my (MW) will, but(CW) (MW) thine, be done(WW, WF).

  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "remove" should be something more like "let pass".
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a command, but statement where the subject is "it".
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" should be either "here" or "there" in most situations.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "cup" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "will" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "thine" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "done" should be something more like "happen".
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is a third-party command, which has the sense of something that "must" happen.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8
Father, if you are willing, take(WW,WF) this(CW) (MW) cup from me; yet not  my (MW) will, but(CW) (MW yours be done(WW).
 
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "take" should be something more like "let it pass".
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a command, but statement where the subject is "it".
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a command, but statement where the subject is "it".
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "this" should be either "here" or "there" in most situations.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "cup" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "will" is not shown in the English translation.
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "yours" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "done" should be something more like "happen".
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is a third-party command, which has the sense of something that "must" happen.
EACH WORD of KJV

Father-- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. 

if -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever".

thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. It could also be the middle voice, which requires a "by/for yourself" or a "yourself" as an object.

willing -- "Thou be willing", is a Greek verb that means "to will", "to wish" and "to prefer". It is an uncommon word. There is a common verb that means to "want" or "desire". Jesus uses the noun form of it later in this verse, so this word was chosen for a specific reason.  It has a sense of "prefer" which the more common word does not have.  The form is passive, "is preferred". The form of possibility is dictated by the "if" that begins the verse.

remove -- (WW, WF) "Remove" is a word Jesus only uses here and in the parallel verse in Matthew. It means "serve", "set before" and it is used especially for serving meat at a table. It can also mean  "turn aside", "turn towards",  and "let pass". Literally, the word literally means  "bring by" or "bring to the side". This word doesn't mean "remove". This is not a command, but statement where the subject is "it." 

this-- (CW) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there". As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this".  The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this". It works better as "here". which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there". It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing here". 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more. 

cup -- The word for "cup" means "a drinking-cup", "a wine-cup", "a jar" and "a receptacle" for offerings in the temple. The cup is used by Jesus as a symbol for sharing burdens. See this article for more. It has an article, so "the cup". The form could be either the subject or the object of the verb.

from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.

me -- "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my," "me" and "mine". As the object of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.

nevertheless -- The word translated as "nevertheless" is a less common preposition used like a conjunction that means "except", "save", "besides" and "in addition to".

not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. Since the topic is "will", this is the right negative.

my -- "My" is the Greek equivalent of our first-person possessive singular pronoun. 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more. 

will -- The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "purpose" seems closer to Christ's usage.  The verb form of this word is the word commonly translated as the verb "will" in Jesus's words.

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead", "but instead" or "rather". It is not the common word usually translated as "but". It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise". Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this", with a positive one, "instead this". 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.

thine-- "Thine" is two Greek words meaning "that of mine". It consists of an article and the pronoun.

 be --  This helping verb "be" seems to indicate that the verb is passive but it isn't. It is a verb form that indicates the subject is acting on itself.

done- (WW, WF) The word translated as "done" means "to become," that is, to enter into a new state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen", "to occur" or "take place". Sometimes, "arises" works best when the subject comes into being. For things, it can be "to be produced". When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. The form of the verb's object can indicate the time or to whom it "happens". This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation. This is a third-party command, which has the sense of something that "must" happen.

EACH WORD of NIV

Father-- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father. 

if -- The "if" here expresses a condition but it means nothing regarding whether that condition is met or not. It also means "if ever" and "whenever".

you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.

are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. It could also be the middle voice, which requires a "by/for yourself" or a "yourself" as an object.

willing -- "Thou are willing" is a Greek verb that means "to will", "to wish" and "to prefer". It is an uncommon word. There is a common verb that means to "want" or "desire". Jesus uses the noun form of it later in this verse, so this word was chosen for a specific reason.  It has a sense of "prefer" which the more common word does not have.  The form is passive, "is preferred". The form of possibility is dictated by the "if" that begins the verse.

take -- (WW,WF) "Take" is a word Jesus only uses here and in the parallel verse in Matthew. It means "serve", "set before" and it is used especially for serving meat at a table. It can also mean "turn aside", "turn towards",  and "let pass". Literally, the word means  "bring by" or "bring to the side". This word doesn't mean "take".  This is not a command, but statement where the subject is "it".

this-- (CW) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there". As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this". The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this". It works better as "here", which is how Jesus usually uses it, but it can also mean "there". It often comes after the noun, emphasizing it, "this thing here". 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more. 

cup -- The word for "cup" means "a drinking-cup", "a wine-cup", "a jar" and "a receptacle" for offerings in the temple. The cup is used by Jesus as a symbol for sharing burdens. See this article for more. It has an article, so "the cup". The form could be either the subject or the object of the verb.

from -- The word translated as "from" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source.

me -- "Me" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my", "me" and "mine". As the object of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.

yet -- The word translated as "yet" is a less common preposition used like a conjunction that means "except", "save", "besides" and "in addition to".

not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" to do something, not that it isn't done or don't think something that might be true. Since the topic is "will", this is the right negative.

my -- "My" is the Greek equivalent of our first-person possessive singular pronoun. 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more. 

will -- The word translated as "will" means what someone wants or desires as well as the "will" of character. It mostly means what one wishes or has determined shall be done. It also means a desire or a choice. When applied to people, "desires" works, but when applied to God, the concept "purpose" seems closer to Christ's usage.  The verb form of this word is the word commonly translated as the verb "will" in Jesus's words.

but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead", "but instead" or "rather". It is not the common word usually translated as "but". It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise". Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this", with a positive one, "instead this". 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these" and "those"). See this article for more.

yours -- "Yours" is two Greek words meaning "that of mine". It consists of an article and the pronoun.

be --  This helping verb "be" seems to indicate that the verb is passive but it isn't. It is a verb form that indicates the subject is acting on itself.

done- (WW, WF) The word translated as "done" means "to become", that is, to enter into a new state. When applied to events, this word means "to happen", "to occur" or "take place". Sometimes, "arises" works best when the subject comes into being. For things, it can be "to be produced". When the participle takes a predicate, the sense is "coming into" something. The form of the verb's object can indicate the time or to whom it "happens". This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation. This is a third-party command, which has the sense of something that "must" happen.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Πάτερ, (noun sg masc voc) "Father" is from pater, which means "father", "grandfather", "author", "parent" and "forefathers".

εἰ (conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect questions, "whether". It also means "if ever", "in case" and "whenever". It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions.

βούλει  [3 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind mp) "Thou be willing" is boulomai, which means "to will", "to wish" and "to prefer". Here, it might be best translated as "chooses to".

παρένεγκε [2 verses]( verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Remove" is parapherō, which means "bring to", "bring forward", "carry past", "hand over", "turn aside", "turn towards",  "mislead", "change/later" (a decree), "sweep away" (a river), "let pass", or "differ" (in dialects). Literally, "bring by" or "bring aside".

τοῦτο   ( adj sg neut nom/acc ) "This" is toutou, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this", "here", "the nearer" and "the familiar".

τὸ [821 verses](article  neut nom/acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

ποτήριον  (noun sg neut nom/acc) "Cup" is from poterion, which means "a drinking-cup", "a wine-cup", "a jar" and "a receptacle" for offerings in the temple.

ἀπ᾽ (prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.

ἐμοῦ: (noun sg masc gen) "Me" is emou, which means "me" and "mine".

πλὴν (prep) "Nevertheless" is from plen, which is a preposition meaning "except", "save", "besides" and "in addition to". Often used with the negative as a conjunction, "except not".

μὴ (partic) "Not" is me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.

τὸ  [821 verses](article  neut nom/acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

θέλημά ( noun sg neut nom ) "Will" is the noun, thelema, which means "will" and "pleasure".

μου (pro sg masc gen) "My" is mou, which mean "my" or "mine".

ἀλλὰ (adv) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise", "but", "still", "at least", "except", "yet," nevertheless", "rather", "moreover" and "nay".

τὸ  [821 verses](article  neut nom/acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

σὸν (adj sg masc gen) "Thine" is sou which means "of you" and "your".  -- The word translated as "thine" is the possessive form of the second person pronoun.

γινέσθω. ( verb 3rd sg pres imperat mp ) "Be done" is ginomai, which means "to become", "to come into being", "to happen", of things "to be produced," of events "take place", "come to pass", "to be engaged in", math "to be multiplied into", "become one of", "turn into" and "to be". It means changing into a new state of being. It is the complementary opposite of the verb "to be" (eimi)which indicates existence in the same state.

parallel comparison

The version in Matthew 26:39 is a request of God, but though translated similarly the key verb here is not a request.  

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