And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Ver. 44. And he left them, and went away again] A most memorable and imitable pattern of patience toward those that condole not, or that keep not touch with us, we must neither startle nor storm, but pass it by as a frailty.
And prayed the third time] A number of perfection. And, Si ter pulsanti, &c. Paul prayed thrice, and gave over, 2 Corinthians 12:8,10, because he saw it was God's will it should be otherwise: pardoning grace he had, but not prevailing, 2 Corinthians 12:9. So our Saviour here had an angel sent from heaven to strengthen him, that he might the better drink that cup which he had so heartily deprecated, Luke 22:43. Hence the apostle doubts not to say that he "was heard in that he feared,"Hebrews 5:7 : he was, and he was not; there is no praying against that which God's providence hath disposed of by an infallible order. And when we see how God will have it, we must sit down and be satisfied. That which he will have done, we may be sure is best to be done.
Saying the same words] And they were no whit the worse for being the same. Let this comfort those that complain they cannot vary in prayer; though that be a desirable ability. The Corinthians were enriched by God in all utterance and knowledge, 1 Corinthians 1:5. But the business of prayer is more despatched by inward groanings than outward garnishes.