Jesus’s request, however, is conditional on
the will of the Father. Jesus has a passion to do his Father’s will, Luke states
that an angel comes to strengthen Jesus, after which he prays more earnestly
until his sweat becomes like drops of blood. A considerable number of
manuscripts omit vv. 43-44, and the reason is not difficult to understand. As
Solle writes: “According to Epiphanius, the bishop of Salamis (about 375), later
manuscripts deleted the reference to Jesus’ weeping here and in his announcement
that Jerusalem would be destroyed (like 22:43ff., 19:41), ‘out of ear that Jesus’
dignity would be diminished.’ From the modern perspective, however, Jesus’
dignity lies precisely in his fear of death. A person without fear is deformed,
despising himself too much to be able to have fear for himself.” (Denis
McBride, The Gospel of Luke: A Reflective Commentary [Dublin: Dominican
Publications, 1982], 291)
Further Reading:
Lincoln H. Blumell, Luke 22:43–44: An Anti-Docetic Interpolation or an Apologetic Omission?
