Jesus Christ, suffering of

Jesus Christ's life was characterised by suffering, though the worst experiences were reserved for his final days. His sufferings are both redemptive and an example to believers.

Jesus Christ's sufferings foretold

In the OT

Psalm 22:6–8, Psalm 22:16–18; Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 52:13–53:12; Zechariah 9:9–10, Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 13:7; 1 Peter 1:11

In Jesus Christ's predictions

Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22 See also Matthew 20:17–19 parallels Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–32; John 12:32–33

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Jesus Christ's suffering during his lifetime

As a child

Matthew 2:13–15

Because of his family

Mark 3:20–21 See also John 7:3–5

Then Jesus went home, and once again a crowd gathered, so that He and His disciples could not even eat. When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

Because of the crowds' unbelief

Mark 9:19 parallels Matthew 17:17, Luke 9:41 See also Matthew 12:39 parallel Luke 11:29; Mark 8:11–12

“O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.”

Because of the disciples' slowness

Mark 8:17–21 parallel Matthew 16:8–11

Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Twelve,” they answered. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you collect?” “Seven,” they said. Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?”

Because of the religious leaders

Matthew 12:14 parallels Mark 3:6, Luke 6:11 See also John 5:18, John 7:1, John 8:48

But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Because of human suffering

Luke 19:41 See also Mark 7:34; Luke 7:13; John 11:33–35

As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it

Jesus Christ's suffering at the time of his death

He was inwardly troubled

John 12:27 See also Matthew 26:36–42 parallels Mark 14:32–39, Luke 22:40–44; John 13:21

Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

He was betrayed

Matthew 26:21–25 parallels Mark 14:17–21, Luke 22:21–23; Matthew 26:47–49 parallels Mark 14:43–45, Luke 22:47–48, John 18:2–5; John 13:18–30

He was humiliated

Matthew 27:27–30 parallel Mark 15:16–19 See also Matthew 26:67–68 parallels Mark 14:65, Luke 22:63–65; Matthew 27:26 parallels Mark 15:15, Luke 23:22; Luke 23:11; John 18:22, John 19:1

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.

He was crucified

Luke 23:33 parallels Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:25, John 19:18

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

He suffered separation from God

Matthew 27:46 parallels Mark 15:34, Luke 23:46 See also Psalm 22:1

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus Christ's attitude to his suffering

He did not retaliate in his suffering

1 Peter 2:23 See also Matthew 27:12–14 parallel Mark 15:3–5; Luke 23:34

When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

He grew through the experience of suffering

Hebrews 5:8 See also Hebrews 2:10

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

Jesus Christ's sufferings were necessary for salvation

Luke 24:26–27 See also Luke 24:46–47; Acts 3:18, Acts 17:3, Acts 26:23

Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

Jesus Christ suffered as a unique sacrifice

Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 9:25–26

The Christian experience of suffering

Believers share in Jesus Christ's sufferings

2 Corinthians 1:5 See also Matthew 25:34–40; Acts 9:4–5 parallels Acts 22:7–8, Acts 26:15; Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Jesus Christ's sufferings are an example for believers

1 Peter 2:21 See also John 16:18–20; Philippians 2:5–7

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: