The passion of Christ refers to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It encompasses the final hours of his life from the Last Supper to his crucifixion and burial. The passion is central to Christian theology as it represents the sacrifice Jesus made to achieve the forgiveness of sins for all humanity.
The events leading up to the crucifixion
After the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Here, he experienced great emotional anguish and sorrow, even sweating drops of blood (Luke 22:44). He was then betrayed by Judas, one of his own disciples, who identified Jesus to the soldiers by kissing him on the cheek. Jesus was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, who questioned him and declared him guilty of blasphemy.
Early on Friday morning, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The Jewish leaders pressured Pilate to sentence Jesus to death, so Pilate left the decision up to the crowd. The crowd called for Jesus to be crucified over the criminal Barabbas. Pilate washed his hands of responsibility but still sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.
Before being led away, Jesus was scourged, beaten, spit on, mocked, and forced to wear a crown of thorns. He carried his cross along the Via Dolorosa (“Way of Suffering”) to Calvary as the crowds hurled insults at him. At Calvary, Jesus was stripped of his clothing and nailed to the cross between two criminals.
The crucifixion
For six agonizing hours, Jesus hung on the cross, gradually dying of asphyxiation. As he suffered, he spoke several times:
He asked God to forgive those who crucified him, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This demonstrates Jesus’ boundless mercy.
To the criminal crucified next to him, he promised “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This reflects Jesus’ power to forgive sins.
He made arrangements for the care of his mother Mary, saying to the Apostle John “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:27). This shows Jesus’ humanity and compassion.
Around noon, darkness fell over the land. Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This exclamation reflects Jesus feeling abandoned in his suffering.
Knowing his death was imminent, Jesus declared “I thirst” (John 19:28) and was given a sponge soaked in sour wine. After receiving it, he proclaimed “It is finished” (John 19:30). This statement indicated the completion of his work of salvation.
Lastly, Jesus stated “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46) and breathed his last breath. The centurion present praised God and declared Jesus innocent. At that moment, the temple curtain was torn in two, symbolizing the opening of heaven made possible by Jesus’ death. There was also an earthquake and dead saints raised to life.
The significance of Christ’s passion
The passion of Christ carries profound theological meaning for Christians. Here are some of the ways his suffering and death on the cross is understood:
– As a ransom sacrifice to atone for human sin. Jesus bore the penalty for sin on behalf of humankind (Mark 10:45).
– As an act of perfect obedience to fulfil God’s will, undoing Adam’s disobedience in Eden (Philippians 2:8).
– As a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the debt of sin instead of humanity. Christ bore God’s wrath in our place (Romans 5:6-8).
– As a sacrifice of atonement to reconcile humankind to God. Jesus’ death satisfied God’s justice and reopened access to him (Colossians 1:19-20).
– As a victory over sin and death, defeating their power through the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
– As the supreme demonstration of God’s love for the world (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
Christ’s suffering was foretold centuries prior by Old Testament prophecies (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53). The historical reality of Jesus’ death by crucifixion is well attested. The passion story is recorded in all four Gospels and affirmed throughout the New Testament epistles. Christians memorialize and reflect on the passion every year during Holy Week and Good Friday services. Images depicting scenes from Christ’s passion are a mainstay of Christian iconography and art.
Events following the crucifixion
After Jesus died on the cross, a secret follower named Joseph of Arimathea asked for his body from Pilate and buried him in a tomb carved out of rock. The chief priests and Pharisees asked Pilate to secure the tomb, so he had it sealed and put under guard.
On Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women visited the tomb but found it empty. Angels appeared and proclaimed Jesus had risen from the dead as he foretold. The guards also reported the tomb was empty to the chief priests, who bribed them to spread a story that the disciples had stolen the body.
Over the next forty days, Jesus appeared multiple times to his disciples and followers in his resurrected body and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. His resurrection conquered death and paved the way for the salvation of humanity. After his ascension to heaven, Jesus’ disciples were emboldened to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.
The passion of Christ forms the very heart of the Gospel message. As prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament, Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection provide the only way for sinful mankind to be reconciled to a holy God. The passion displays God’s boundless love and mercy. It also represents the pattern Jesus set for his followers to walk in self-sacrifice and obedience to the Father’s will. For these reasons, the events surrounding Christ’s passion occupy such prominence in Christian theology and devotion.