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I. THE EXPERIENCE OUT OF WHICH IT AROSE. "Troubled" means tortured, racked, torn, as it were, with intense and various emotions.

1. This trouble arose out of the foresight of the Cross. Between Him and His glory lay Calvary. But the anguish was not on account of the physical torture or personal ignominy He would endure, although extreme; He had tasted the bitterness of sin in the intensity and perfection of His redeeming sympathy, and to pass under the shadow of its retribution.

2. This trouble superinduced a great conflict in His mind, "What shall I say? Father," etc. Some regard this as a petition; others with more propriety an interrogation implying a natural shrinking which it would have been more human not to feel. Gladly would He have said it but for the stability of His redeeming purpose. Purpose and feeling thus came into distressing collision.

3. The conflict, however, was but momentary. It gave place at once to a calm and heroic resignation.

II. THE PURPORT OF THE PRAYER. "Father, glorify Thy name." How concise, yet comprehensive: expressive of —

1. Resignation. "Do what Thou wilt so long as Thou be glorified."

2. Fortitude. "The task before Me is a heavy one, but for Thy sake, I will go forward to it."

3. Benevolence. Self is lost sight of, and the Father's purpose and the redounding glory is all in all.

4. Faith. "What Thou hast promised Thou wilt perform."

III. THE ANSWER.

1. How it was given. By a voice from heaven, mistaken as thunder, as the voice of an angel, but truly interpreted by Christ.

2. What it was. A declaration —

(1) That it had been already fulfilled — in the whole of Christ's life. How this assurance would animate Christ, and endear to Him afresh the Father's will.

(2) That the end for which Jesus prayed would be still further attained. Conclusion: Learn to cherish at all times a true and steady regard for the glory of God.

(B. Wilkinson.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: "Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time.