Is There a Conflict Between Fear and Acceptance in the Story of Jesus?
In this article, you will learn how John 12:27 contradicts Matthew 26:39, John 18:11, Mark 14:36, Matthew 16:21-22, Luke 22:42 and John 10:18. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The story of Jesus' final days as told across the Gospels presents a complex mosaic of emotions, decisions, and divine purpose. In John 12:27, we see a Jesus who is deeply troubled by the knowledge of his impending suffering, yet resolutely acknowledges it as part of God's plan. Here, Jesus accepts the necessity of facing what is to come. However, when we explore other moments captured in the Gospels, the narrative seems to ebb and flow between acceptance and a desire for reprieve.
Consider Matthew 26:39, where Jesus asks for "the cup" to be removed, expressing a very human wish to avoid impending suffering. This moment of vulnerability seems at odds with his decisive acceptance in John 12:27. Similarly, in Mark 14:36 and Luke 22:42, we hear echoes of this prayer, showcasing a Jesus caught in the tension between human desire and divine duty.
Then in John 18:11, Jesus commands Peter to put away his sword, further showing his acceptance of the path laid out before him, suggesting a calm resolve absent in John 12:27’s depiction. On the other hand, John 10:18 portrays Jesus as being fully in control of his destiny, laying down his life willingly, a stark contrast to the troubled spirit captured earlier.
Matthew 16:21-22 adds another layer through Peter's rebuke of Jesus’ prediction of his own suffering. Despite Peter's misunderstanding, Jesus stands firm, ultimately showing acceptance of his fate unlike the other verses that highlight his distress or hesitation.
These contradictions invite us to reflect on the dual nature of Jesus as both divine and human. Is it possible to accept one’s fate while still feeling fear or hesitation? Can divine purpose coexist with human vulnerability and indecision? These varying snapshots of Jesus' thoughts and emotions may, in fact, not contradict but rather enrich our understanding of his journey, illustrating a path not unlike our own human experiences of fear, struggle, and faith.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | John 12:27 | Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. |
| 2. | Matthew 26:39 | And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? |
| 3. | John 18:11 | Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? |
| 4. | Mark 14:36 | And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. |
| 5. | Matthew 16:21-22 | From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. |
| 6. | Luke 22:42 | Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. [willing, remove: Gr. willing to remove] |
| 7. | John 10:18 | No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. |