ACC ~ Mark 14 v34

HIS DEITY DID NOT CANCEL OUT HIS HUMANITY

ORIGEN: He was troubled, as we are told, in the hour of death, as he himself confesses when he says, “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.” [1] He was finally led to that death which is considered the most shameful of all. On the third day he rose again. [2] When, therefore, we see in him some things so human that they appear in no way to differ from the common frailty of mortals, and some things so divine that they are appropriate to nothing else but the primal and ineffable nature of deity, the human understanding with its own narrow limits is baffled, and struck with amazement at so mighty a wonder. It does not know which way to turn, what to hold to, or how to establish itself. ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 2.6.2. [3]

[1] Mt 26:38; Mk 14:34.

[2] Cf. Mt 28:6; Mk 16:6; Lk 24:5; 1 Cor 15:4.

[3] OBP 358; OFP 109.

THE CAUSE OF HIS SADNESS

HILARY OF POITIERS: What is meant by “sorrowful even unto death?” [1] It cannot mean the same as “to be sorrowful because of death”; for where there is sorrow because of death, it is the death that is the cause of the sadness. But a sadness even unto death implies that death is the completion, not the cause, of the sadness. ON THE TRINITY 10.36. [2]

[1] Mt 26:38; Mk 14:34.

[2] Cetedoc 0433, SL 62A, 10.36.4; NPNF 2 9:191.