Peter was trying to stop the arrest. Jesus stops Peter instead: "Put up thy sword into the sheath." Then His question explains why. This cup came from His Father, and He would not refuse it. Gill says the cup means "the wrath of God, and punishment due to sin, endured by Christ in his sufferings," and that the question shows "his willingness to do it, his eager desire after it, his delight in it." Barnes, commenting on the parallel rebuke in Matthew, weighs several readings and prefers taking it as "a caution to Peter," whose "unseasonable and imprudent defense might be the occasion of his own destruction."

The question answers itself: yes, He will drink it. Peter's reply is not recorded. Jesus offers no resistance, and "the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him" (John 18:12). Luke adds that Jesus "touched his ear, and healed him" (Luke 22:51). Later, before Pilate, Jesus explains why His followers did not fight: "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight" (John 18:36).

John does not record Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, but the other Gospels do, and there He prays about this same cup: "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39; see also Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42). Barnes explains the cup there as "These bitter sufferings. These approaching trials." Only John names Peter as the swordsman and Malchus as the servant; Matthew, Mark, and Luke say only "one of them" and "a servant of the high priest" (Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; Luke 22:50). Barnes refers his readers to his notes on Matthew 26:51-52 for this verse.

Jesus does not say the cup came from Judas, the soldiers, or the priests. He says "my Father hath given me" this cup. Behind the betrayal and the weapons, He sees His Father's hand, and He accepts what His Father gives.

In the garden He had prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass (Matthew 26:39, 42). Now His question shows settled, willing obedience. Matthew's account adds that He could have asked for "more than twelve legions of angels," but then "how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled?" (Matthew 26:53-54). The way of the cross was not forced on Him; He received it from His Father.