The sorrows of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Passion of Christ, encompass His physical and emotional suffering leading up to and including His crucifixion. These sorrows are detailed in various passages in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Here are some key moments that highlight. His sorrows:
Emotional and Spiritual Sorrow
- Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem: Scripture: “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” (Luke 19:41-42).
- Anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane: “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:37-38). “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39).
Betrayal and Denial
- Betrayal by Judas: “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.” (Matthew 26:47-48)
- Denial by Peter: And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75).
Physical Suffering
- Scourging and Mocking: Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. (John 19:1) “And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.” (Matthew 27:28-30)
- Carrying the Cross: And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:17)
Crucifixion and Death
- Crucifixion: “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:33-34) “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” (John 19:28)
- Jesus’ Last Words and Death: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
Aftermath
- Piercing of Jesus’ Side: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34)
- Burial: “And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” (Matthew 27:59-60)
These scriptures highlight the profound sorrows and sufferings of Jesus Christ as He faced betrayal, denial, physical torment, and ultimately, crucifixion. The Passion narrative underscores both His human vulnerability and His divine purpose in offering Himself for the redemption of humanity.
The Many Trials & Sorrows of Jesus
Jesus…
- Left His Heavenly kingdom to come down to earth to be born in humble manger with animals
- Was a target for murder from the moment of birth
- Suffered from the death of all those born near Him
- Was forced to flee during the night and remain in hiding
- Was again relocated out of fear for His life
- Suffered the death of his (earthly) father
- Suffered the indignities of the human condition
- ‘Put aside’ His true status to serve those whom He is above
- Fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert among wild beasts
- Was tempted by the devil
- Was surrounded by crowds of people with contagious physical conditions
- Endured the company of sinners
- Was asked to leave town
- Was going to be thrown over a hill by an angry mob
- Had nowhere to rest His head
- Experienced lack of faith of his closest friends
- Spoke only the truth, yet was charged with blasphemy
- Was rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes
- Was criticized for his methods
- Was not obeyed
- Suffered for the afflicted
- Owned nothing
- Was insulted and called names
- Was rejected by disciples
- Was doubted
- Dwelled in the land of His enemy
- Received not the honor he deserved
- Suffered the death of friends and relatives
- Was subjected to tests and trickery
- Had his authority questioned
- Became the servant of those beneath Him
- Was accused of misleading and deceiving people
- Suffered great frustration
- Was nearly stoned twice
- Was forced to hide
- Was forced to flee to avoid persecution and arrest
- Was called a sinful man
- Was called possessed and crazy
- Was hated
- Was conspired against
- Anticipated being betrayed by his friends
- Washed the feet of his betrayer
- Ate with his betrayer
- Anticipated His upcoming great suffering with such agony that
- His sweat became like drops of blood
- Suffered disappointment in his friends
- With a kiss, was betrayed by a friend for a small sum of money
- Was treated with contempt
- Was arrested as a criminal
- Was abandoned by his friends
- Was spit at
- Was slapped
- Was struck repeatedly
- Was mocked
- Was bound
- Was falsely accused
- Was testified against by false witnesses
- Was blindfolded and beaten
- Although pronounced ‘not guilty’, was chosen for death by a mob of people over a true murderer
- Was sentenced to death
- Was scourged
- Was stripped
- Was repeatedly struck on the head
- Was pricked by a crown of thorns
- Was forced to carry a heavy cross on His beaten, bloody body
- Fell three times under the weight of the heavy Cross
- Was rejected by the populace
- Was publicly ridiculed
- Was reviled
- Was crucified between criminals
- Was mocked by a criminal
- Was gawked at
- Hung on the cross for hours with outstretched arms
- Suffered unbearable thirst
- Suffered unimaginable pain
- Watched his mother suffer the greatest agony
- Died a painful and humiliating death
- Knew that even His own death would not be able to save everyone whom He loved
Jesus suffered all these things for His love of you and for all. Considering His great love for us, we must keep in mind our Lord’s instruction that “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt. 16:24).