This seems to refer especially to the experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. Although the gospel writers do not mention tears in connection with the agony there experienced, these can easily be imagined. Some believe the author is referring also to the experience on the cross. See Matt. 26:36-44; 27:46; Mark 14:32-41; 15:34; Luke 22:39-44; 23:46.

The fact that the Father was able to save the Son from death made the trial so much the greater. The humanity of the Son of God shrank from the horror of separation from the Father. While He was willing to go through the deep waters alone, He prayed earnestly to be exempted from drinking the cup if there was another way. But there was not other way, and so He drank it.

Literally, “out of death,” which may imply that Christ would experience death, but that God would save Him out of it, that is, raise Him.

This statement has caused some difficulty, because of the fact that Christ was not saved from death; and yet the assertion is made that Christ “was heard.” If the phrase “from death” be understood as explained above, the passage presents no difficulty.

 If “from death” be understood as signifying that Christ would not experience death, then the following explanation is pertinent: The text does not say that Christ asked to be saved from death, but that He prayed to Him who is able to save Him from death; and the accounts in the Synoptics clearly state that Christ prayed that “if it were possible, the hour might pass from him” (Mark 14:35). In Matthew He is quoted as praying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42). These statements can be understood only in the light of Christ’s desire to be spared from death, if it were possible and consistent with God’s will.

Had Christ in His prayer peremptorily demanded that He be saved from death, then it must be admitted that His request was denied. But Christ did not demand this. When He added the words of submission, “Thy will be done,” He cleared the way for the Father to do as He thought best, and pledged Himself to accept His decision. As Christ’s will was also the Father’s will, whatever He should decide would likewise be Christ’s decision. In this way Christ was heard, and in this way every prayer is heard that ascends to God in submission to His will.

Let no Christian think that his prayer is not heard. Every earnest prayer is heard, even though it be not answered favorably. No is as definite an answer as Yes; though often the answer is neither Yes nor No, but Wait. Submission to the will of God is the great secret of effective prayer.

 Gr. apo tēs eulabeias, “from his piety,” that is, because of his piety, or from his anxiety. Commentators are divided as to whether eulabeia should be regarded as reverent fear or as ordinary fear and anxiety. If as ordinary fear, the passage would mean, “he was heard [that is, delivered] from his anxiety.” However, scriptural usage of eulabeia and its related forms favors the definition “piety,” or “reverent fear.” For example, eulabeia is rendered “godly fear” in ch. 12:28. Compare the use of the adjective eulabēs in Luke 2:25; Acts 2:5; 8:2, and of the verb eulabeomai, in Acts 23:10; Heb. 11:7.

Gr. hiketēriai, used of olive branches held in the hands of suppliants, from which custom the word came to denote the earnest supplications themselves.

Gr. deēseis, “petitions,” “entreaties,” “prayers,” from the verb deomai, “to ask,” “to beg as a favor.”

 That is, the period of his earthly life (see on John 1:14).

That is, by offering up, or, in offering up. The idea of the passage is that in offering up his prayers and supplications and in being heard Jesus learned obedience. The obedience was learned by these experiences, not following them.

 That is, Christ (see on v. 5). The grammatical construction is somewhat involved. The principal verb of the sentence is “learned” (v. 8), and the principal thought, Christ learned obedience.