The act of being put to shame, often in a public manner. Jesus Christ was humiliated through his suffering, degradation and execution. Believers may expect to suffer humiliation on account of their faith.
Examples of humiliation
David's men at the hands of Hanun
2 Samuel 10:4–5 parallel 1 Chronicles 19:4–5
Michal, by David's dancing
2 Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 6:20–22
Joab and his men, by David's seemingly inappropriate mourning
Haman, by his death on the gallows prepared for Mordecai
Job
Peter, by his denial of Jesus Christ
Matthew 26:69–75 parallels Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62, John 18:16–18, John 18:25–27
Warnings against presumption
Proverbs 25:7; Luke 14:7–11; 1 Corinthians 10:12
People are often humiliated as a punishment for sin
Obadiah 1:8–10 See also 2 Kings 19:28; Ezra 9:7; Psalm 35:26; Isaiah 13:11, Isaiah 22:19, Isaiah 25:11, Isaiah 26:5; Jeremiah 15:9, Jeremiah 23:40, Jeremiah 31:19, Jeremiah 49:16; Ezekiel 28:8; Malachi 2:9
In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau? Then your mighty men, O Teman, will be terrified, so that everyone in the mountains of Esau will be cut down in the slaughter. Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.
Jesus Christ suffered humiliation
Jesus Christ's humiliation prophesied in the OT
Isaiah 53:9, Isaiah 53:12 See also Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:2–4; Acts 8:32–33; Isaiah 53:7–8
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus Christ's humiliation in his incarnation
Philippians 2:6–8 See also 2 Corinthians 8:9
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.
Jesus Christ's humilation in his humble birth
Jesus Christ's humiliation through the words of others
Matthew 9:34, Matthew 11:19 parallel Luke 7:34; Mark 3:21; John 7:20, John 9:16
Jesus Christ's humiliation through the actions of others
Jesus Christ's humiliation at his trials
Mark 14:55–65; Matthew 27:27–31 See also Matthew 26:59–68 parallel John 18:19–24; Matthew 27:26 parallels Mark 15:15, Luke 23:25, John 19:16, Mark 15:16–20, John 19:1–3; Luke 23:9–11
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly. After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him.
Jesus Christ's humiliation at his crucifixion
Luke 23:33–43 See also Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 21:23; Luke 22:37; Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:33–44 parallels Mark 15:22–32, John 19:17–24
Believers should be prepared to suffer humiliation from unbelievers
2 Timothy 3:12 See also Matthew 5:11, Matthew 10:17–18; John 15:20, John 16:2; Philippians 1:28–30; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Hebrews 10:33–34; 1 Peter 2:19–21; Revelation 2:10
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Believers are not to humiliate others
James 2:2–4 See also Matthew 5:22, Matthew 7:4–5; 1 Corinthians 11:20–22
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.