The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ (Emmanuel-meaning God with us) was bound and brought to Pontius Pilate, betrayed by Judas with a kiss, endured torture and a trial, was crucified, buried, and rose again in three days. All of this happened to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ was the ultimate blood sacrifice for sin.
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ Bible Reading
Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Matthew 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Matthew 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Matthew 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
Matthew 27:10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
Matthew 27:12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Matthew 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Matthew 27:14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Matthew 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
Matthew 27:29 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!
Matthew 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Matthew 27:31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Matthew 27:33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;
Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Matthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Matthew 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Matthew 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46 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 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Matthew 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 27:60 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 27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Matthew 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Matthew 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Matthew 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Matthew 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Matthew 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Matthew 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
Matthew 27:10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
Matthew 27:12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Matthew 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Matthew 27:14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Matthew 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.
Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
Matthew 27:17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Matthew 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
Matthew 27:29 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!
Matthew 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Matthew 27:31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Matthew 27:33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
Matthew 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:36 And sitting down they watched him there;
Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Matthew 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Matthew 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Matthew 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
Matthew 27:46 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 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
Matthew 27:49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.
Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Matthew 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matthew 27:60 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 27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Matthew 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Matthew 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Matthew 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Jesus Crucifixion Bible Study
Many events occurred before, during, and after Jesus Christ's death.
Jesus was bound and brought to Pontius Pilate
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: Matt. 27:1
And when they had bound hm, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matt. 27:2
Jesus was betrayed by Judas
Judas betrayed Christ by giving him a kiss in front of the soldier's who had come to arrest Jesus. The kiss was to identify Jesus without speaking.
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Matt. 27:3
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that Matt. 27:4 The Trial of Jesus Christ which led to His Crucifixion
Jesus questioned by the governor
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him,
Thou sayest. Matt. 27:11 The Trial of Jesus Christ which led to His Crucifixion
Jesus accused by the chief priests and elders
And when he was accused of the chief priest and elders, he answered nothing Matt. 27:12
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Jesus makes no defense for Himself
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. Matt. 27:14
Pontius Pilate gives the people a choice between Barabbas and Jesus to be released
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. Matt. 27:15
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Matt. 27:16
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Matt. 27:17
The governor knew Jesus was innocent Matt. 27:18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. Matt. 27:18
The governor's wife warned him not to have anything to do with the trial of Jesus Christ
The governor's wife was warned in a dream Matt. 27:19-20
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matt. 27:19
But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. Matt. 27:20
The governor asks the people to choose between Jesus and Barabbas and the people answered, Let Him be crucified
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Matt. 27:21 Bible verses: Matt. 27:21-Matt. 27:27
Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified and the soldiers took Jesus and tortured him before they crucified Him
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Matt. 27:26
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. Matt. 27:27 Bible verses: Matt. 27:27-37
Two thieves were crucified with Jesus that day
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Matt. 27:38 It was dark for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross still alive before he cried out to God from the cross
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matt. 27:45
Jesus Cried Out to God from the Cross before He died Jesus stood trial like a common criminal, was tortured and then crucified,
Jesus faced a horrible death as he was nailed to a cross through His hands and feet, left hanging there until he bleed to death after being tortured and flogged, whipped and was forced to carry His cross. A crown made of thorns on his head our King Jesus suffered and died to save us from our sins. His blood covers our sins even today.
The sheer brutality of His death was unthinkable. People do not like to think about it and many do not. Once we know of His ultimate blood sacrifice that He made to save us, it is hard not to accept Him as our Savior.
As Christ hung from this cross His only thoughts were to save us and with His last breath He cried out, "My God My God, Why have thy forsaken me!" because at that moment Jesus took on all of the sin in the world and at that moment God had to look away from Christ because God cannot look upon sin. Our sins were covered with Jesus Christ's blood, God's own son sacrificed His life to save us! Bible verses: Matt. 27:-45-50
Scroll down to see Supernatural events that occurred, what Jesus was feeling before the crucifixion, and why Jesus prayed to let this cup pass commentary.
Jesus was bound and brought to Pontius Pilate
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: Matt. 27:1
And when they had bound hm, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Matt. 27:2
Jesus was betrayed by Judas
Judas betrayed Christ by giving him a kiss in front of the soldier's who had come to arrest Jesus. The kiss was to identify Jesus without speaking.
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Matt. 27:3
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that Matt. 27:4 The Trial of Jesus Christ which led to His Crucifixion
Jesus questioned by the governor
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him,
Thou sayest. Matt. 27:11 The Trial of Jesus Christ which led to His Crucifixion
Jesus accused by the chief priests and elders
And when he was accused of the chief priest and elders, he answered nothing Matt. 27:12
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Jesus makes no defense for Himself
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. Matt. 27:14
Pontius Pilate gives the people a choice between Barabbas and Jesus to be released
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. Matt. 27:15
And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Matt. 27:16
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Matt. 27:17
The governor knew Jesus was innocent Matt. 27:18
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. Matt. 27:18
The governor's wife warned him not to have anything to do with the trial of Jesus Christ
The governor's wife was warned in a dream Matt. 27:19-20
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matt. 27:19
But the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. Matt. 27:20
The governor asks the people to choose between Jesus and Barabbas and the people answered, Let Him be crucified
The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Matt. 27:21 Bible verses: Matt. 27:21-Matt. 27:27
Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified and the soldiers took Jesus and tortured him before they crucified Him
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Matt. 27:26
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. Matt. 27:27 Bible verses: Matt. 27:27-37
Two thieves were crucified with Jesus that day
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. Matt. 27:38 It was dark for three hours while Jesus hung on the cross still alive before he cried out to God from the cross
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matt. 27:45
Jesus Cried Out to God from the Cross before He died Jesus stood trial like a common criminal, was tortured and then crucified,
Jesus faced a horrible death as he was nailed to a cross through His hands and feet, left hanging there until he bleed to death after being tortured and flogged, whipped and was forced to carry His cross. A crown made of thorns on his head our King Jesus suffered and died to save us from our sins. His blood covers our sins even today.
The sheer brutality of His death was unthinkable. People do not like to think about it and many do not. Once we know of His ultimate blood sacrifice that He made to save us, it is hard not to accept Him as our Savior.
As Christ hung from this cross His only thoughts were to save us and with His last breath He cried out, "My God My God, Why have thy forsaken me!" because at that moment Jesus took on all of the sin in the world and at that moment God had to look away from Christ because God cannot look upon sin. Our sins were covered with Jesus Christ's blood, God's own son sacrificed His life to save us! Bible verses: Matt. 27:-45-50
Scroll down to see Supernatural events that occurred, what Jesus was feeling before the crucifixion, and why Jesus prayed to let this cup pass commentary.
Supernatural Events that Occurred During & After the Death of Christ
When Jesus died the temple veil tore in halfFour Supernatural Happenings occurred when Jesus DiedRead Isaiah 53
What Was Jesus Feeling Before He was crucified?
Answer: Jesus was sorrowful and His heart heavy as He prayed to God to let This cup pass from Him.
Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Mark 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Mark 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Why Did Jesus Ask God to Let This Cup Pass? Commentary
"The cup to which Jesus refers is the suffering He was about to endure. It’s as if Jesus were being handed a cup full of bitterness with the expectation that He drink all of it. Jesus had used the same metaphor in Matthew 20:22 when prophesying of the future suffering of James and John. When Jesus petitions the Father, “Let this cup pass from me,” He expresses the natural human desire to avoid pain and suffering.
Jesus is fully God, but He is also fully human. His human nature, though perfect, still struggled with the need to accept the torture and shame that awaited Him; His flesh recoiled from the cross. In the same context, Jesus says to His disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mathew 26:41). In praying, “Let this cup pass from me,” Jesus was battling the flesh and its desire for self-preservation and comfort. The struggle was intense: Jesus was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38), and Luke the physician observed that Jesus was sweating blood—a sign of extreme anguish (Luke 22:44). If anything shows that Jesus was indeed fully man, this prayer is it.
Jesus knew of what was to come (see Mark 8:31). The agony He faced was going to be more than physical; it would be spiritual and emotional, as well. Jesus knew that God’s will was to crush Him, to allow Him to be “pierced for our transgressions” and wounded for our healing (Isaiah 53:5–10). Jesus loves mankind, but His humanity dreaded the pain and sorrow He faced, and it drove Him to ask His Father, “Let this cup pass from me.”
Jesus’ prayer to “let this cup pass from me” contains two important qualifications. First, He prays, “If it is possible.” If there was any other way to redeem mankind, Jesus asks to take that other way. The events following His prayer show that there was no other way; Jesus Christ is the only possible sacrifice to redeem the world (John 1:29; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:14; Revelation 5:9). Second, Jesus prays, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus was committed to the will of God, body, mind, and soul. The prayer of the righteous is always dependent on the will of God (see Matthew 6:10).
In Gethsemane, Jesus conquered the flesh and kept it in subjection to the spirit. He did this through earnest prayer and intense, willful submission to God’s plan. It is good to know that, when we face trials, Jesus knows what it’s like to want God’s will and yet not to want it; to act out of love yet dread the hurt that often results; to desire righteousness and obedience, even when the flesh is screaming out against it. This conflict is not sinful; it is human. Our Savior was “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (Hebrews 2:17). He had come “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and He accomplished His mission, even though it meant drinking the cup of suffering to the bitter end" (1).
Jesus is fully God, but He is also fully human. His human nature, though perfect, still struggled with the need to accept the torture and shame that awaited Him; His flesh recoiled from the cross. In the same context, Jesus says to His disciples, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mathew 26:41). In praying, “Let this cup pass from me,” Jesus was battling the flesh and its desire for self-preservation and comfort. The struggle was intense: Jesus was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38), and Luke the physician observed that Jesus was sweating blood—a sign of extreme anguish (Luke 22:44). If anything shows that Jesus was indeed fully man, this prayer is it.
Jesus knew of what was to come (see Mark 8:31). The agony He faced was going to be more than physical; it would be spiritual and emotional, as well. Jesus knew that God’s will was to crush Him, to allow Him to be “pierced for our transgressions” and wounded for our healing (Isaiah 53:5–10). Jesus loves mankind, but His humanity dreaded the pain and sorrow He faced, and it drove Him to ask His Father, “Let this cup pass from me.”
Jesus’ prayer to “let this cup pass from me” contains two important qualifications. First, He prays, “If it is possible.” If there was any other way to redeem mankind, Jesus asks to take that other way. The events following His prayer show that there was no other way; Jesus Christ is the only possible sacrifice to redeem the world (John 1:29; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:14; Revelation 5:9). Second, Jesus prays, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus was committed to the will of God, body, mind, and soul. The prayer of the righteous is always dependent on the will of God (see Matthew 6:10).
In Gethsemane, Jesus conquered the flesh and kept it in subjection to the spirit. He did this through earnest prayer and intense, willful submission to God’s plan. It is good to know that, when we face trials, Jesus knows what it’s like to want God’s will and yet not to want it; to act out of love yet dread the hurt that often results; to desire righteousness and obedience, even when the flesh is screaming out against it. This conflict is not sinful; it is human. Our Savior was “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God” (Hebrews 2:17). He had come “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and He accomplished His mission, even though it meant drinking the cup of suffering to the bitter end" (1).
Memory Verse
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
References:
1. Why did Jesus ask God to “let this cup pass from me”?. (2018). GotQuestions.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018, from https://www.gotquestions.org/let-this-cup-pass-from-me.html
1. Why did Jesus ask God to “let this cup pass from me”?. (2018). GotQuestions.org. Retrieved 14 February 2018, from https://www.gotquestions.org/let-this-cup-pass-from-me.html
