📘 All Metaphors and Symbolic Sayings of Jesus
Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:39; John 18:11
1. Introduction
In the Garden of Gethsemane, on the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus prays, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” The metaphor of the “cup” evokes Old Testament imagery of divine wrath, judgment, and suffering, but Jesus’ plea reveals something deeper than fear of death: a holy dread of bearing sin’s total spiritual weight. This is a window into the divine sorrow of the Saviour, who fully embraces the cost of redemption—not just physical agony, but spiritual separation. The metaphor reflects Christ’s voluntary submission to divine justice and the holy exchange that redeems humanity.
2. Biblical Texts and Language
- Primary Passages:
- Luke 22:42
- Matthew 26:39
- John 18:11
- Greek Vocabulary:
- ποτήριον (potērion) – cup, vessel, often symbolic of fate or judgment
- παρέλθῃ (parelthē) – pass away, be removed
- θέλημα (thelēma) – will, desire, purpose
- Linked Passages:
- Psalm 75:8 – God has a cup of foaming wine, poured out in wrath
- Isaiah 51:17 – The cup of God’s fury
- Jeremiah 25:15–16 – “Take from my hand this cup of wrath”
- Revelation 14:10 – The cup of God’s indignation
3. Historical and Cultural Context
In both Jewish and Greco-Roman thought, a “cup” often symbolised one’s destiny or divinely appointed lot. In biblical tradition, the cup often referred to God’s wrath or judgement poured out on nations or sinners. Jesus appropriates this motif, showing He is about to drink the cup on behalf of others, absorbing judgement not His own. Gethsemane, a place of oil-pressing, metaphorically matches the pressure of soul He undergoes. This cup is not mere suffering, but bearing the curse for sin (Gal. 3:13).
4. Theological Meaning
- Substitutionary Atonement: Jesus drinks the wrath meant for sinners.
- Divine Obedience: He yields to the Father’s will even unto death (Phil. 2:8).
- Spiritual Anguish: The dread is not martyrdom, but the spiritual alienation from the Father.
- Redemptive Fulfilment: The cup fulfils the Scriptures of judgement and salvation.
The cup represents the weight of the world’s sin, pressed into one soul, willingly accepted.
5. Typology and Old Testament Foundations
- Psalm 116:13 – “I will take the cup of salvation and call on the Lord”
- Isaiah 53 – The suffering servant bears our iniquity
- Exodus 12 – The Passover lamb slain to avert judgment
- Leviticus 16 – The Day of Atonement foreshadowing substitution
- Zechariah 12:2 – A cup of staggering to the nations
Jesus transforms the “cup of wrath” into a cup of grace—for us, through Him.
6. Christological Implications
- Jesus as the Willing Substitute: He drinks what none else can bear.
- Jesus as the Obedient Son: He doesn’t flee the cross but embraces the will of God.
- Jesus as the Cup-Bearer: He alone carries and empties the cup of wrath that should have come upon humanity.
- Jesus as the Intercessor: His prayer in Gethsemane is the cry of holy vulnerability and supreme love.
Here we see the divine Son trembling—not at death—but at sin’s defilement upon His perfect being.
7. Eschatological and Ecclesiological Relevance
- Eschatology: Christ absorbs wrath now to spare His people later (cf. Rev. 16:19).
- Ecclesiology: The Church now drinks a cup of communion, not wrath (1 Cor. 10:16).
- Sacramental Meaning: The Eucharistic cup recalls Christ’s suffering and unites the Church in His atonement.
- Pastoral Implication: True discipleship means accepting one’s own cup in imitation of Christ (Matt. 20:22).
8. Comparative Theological Views
| Tradition | Understanding of the Cup |
|---|---|
| Reformed | Cup as God’s wrath poured on Christ, satisfying divine justice |
| Catholic | Cup as sacrificial suffering and redemptive offering |
| Orthodox | Cup as kenosis—voluntary self-emptying in love and humility |
| Evangelical | Cup of atonement and spiritual substitution |
| Pentecostal | Often emphasises the emotional agony and intercessory nature of the cup |
Each tradition affirms: the cup is not incidental—it is central to the passion of Christ.
9. Modern Application
- Honour the Cross for What It Cost: Don’t trivialise the atonement—it was a cup of infinite burden.
- Follow in Christ’s Submission: Obedience may lead through Gethsemane—but it ends in resurrection.
- Understand Sin’s Weight: Sin is not light—Jesus staggered under its load.
- Embrace the Communion Cup: It symbolises not just fellowship, but Christ’s absorbed wrath on our behalf.
10. Summary Table
| Symbol | The Cup |
|---|---|
| Meaning | The divine wrath Jesus bore willingly as a substitute for sinners |
| Key Verses | Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:39; John 18:11; Psalm 75; Isaiah 51 |
| OT Typology | Passover; Day of Atonement; Isaiah 53 |
| Doctrinal Focus | Atonement, wrath, obedience, substitution |
| Spiritual Emphasis | Submission, holiness, divine love |
| Application | Holy communion, Christlikeness, sin consciousness |
11. Conclusion
The metaphor of the cup is not merely poetic—it is redemptive reality. In it, we glimpse the horror of divine justice and the majesty of divine mercy. Jesus does not fear death, but the spiritual separation entailed by bearing our sin. He drinks, so we might never have to. The next time we take the cup in communion, let us remember it is not empty—it was once full of wrath, and Christ drank it to the dregs. What remains now is grace overflowing.
Next: Entry 57 – The Grain of Wheat (John 12:24)
Proceeding directly.