The complete absence of sin, only in Jesus Christ. Christ demonstrated complete obedience to God in spite of his human frailty, enabling him to be a perfect atoning sacrifice and to give his righteousness to sinners.
Jesus Christ fully experienced human weakness
Philippians 2:7; Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 2:17
Jesus Christ was tempted to sin
Matthew 4:2–3 parallel Luke 4:2–3; Mark 1:12–13, Mark 8:32 parallel Matthew 16:22; Mark 14:36 parallels Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:42; Mark 15:29–30 parallel Matthew 27:40; Luke 23:37
Jesus Christ resisted the temptation to sin
Hebrews 4:15 See also Matthew 4:4 parallel Luke 4:4; Matthew 16:23 parallel Mark 8:33
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
Jesus Christ committed no sin
He only spoke the truth
1 Peter 2:22 See also Isaiah 53:9, Isaiah 53:7; John 8:46, John 8:46; Hebrews 7:26
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
He fulfilled the law
Matthew 5:17 See also Matthew 3:15; Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44; Romans 10:4
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
He was fully obedient to his human parents
He was fully obedient to his heavenly Father
John 17:4 See also John 5:19, John 5:36, John 8:28, John 8:49, John 12:49–50, John 14:31; Hebrews 5:7–8
I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
He was innocent according to Roman law
Luke 23:14–15 See also Matthew 22:21 parallels Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25; Matthew 27:19, Matthew 27:24; Luke 23:4, Luke 23:22; Acts 13:28
and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.
Jesus Christ's sinlessness was recognised by others
Luke 23:47 See also Luke 23:41
When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
Jesus Christ was perfect
Hebrews 7:28 See also John 1:14; Colossians 1:19, Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 5:9
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Jesus Christ's sinlessness qualified him to be the perfect sacrifice
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV footnote. See also Isaiah 53:10; Romans 8:3; 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:5
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus Christ's sinlessness is the grounds of believers' sanctification
Hebrews 10:14 See also Isaiah 53:11; Romans 5:19, Romans 8:4; Hebrews 10:10
because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
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.