The father/son relationship in the Gethsemane pericope according to the synoptic gospels

Abstract

The relationship that Jesus had with the Father is definitely a highlight in all four Gospels. We can follow this relationship from the childhood of Jesus till his death upon the cross. However, the theme of this thesis is the Gethsemane pericope according to the Synoptic Gospels. From the Spiritual Theology viewpoint, this pericope was at the centre of great theological debates between spiritual and mystical movements in Christian Spirituality especially at the age of the Reformation through Martin Luther and John Calvin. The Church Fathers also debated and reflected upon the Gethsemane pericope which led to shaping and sharpening the faith in Jesus Christ fully human and fully divine who is seen in great distress in the garden of Gethsemane. Foreseeing his being given over to death at the hands of the enemies, the sorrowful Jesus prayed his Father to take away ‘the cup’ from him; that ‘the hour’ might pass from him; and he prayed “Abba, Father” that his ‘will’ might be done.