Have you ever wondered about the true meaning of the Passion of Christ? The term is often mentioned during Easter, as it refers to the events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While many believers recognize the phrase, few truly understand the spiritual significance of the suffering Jesus endured to purchase our redemption.
In this article, you’ll discover what the Passion of Christ truly means and how it applies to your life today.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The word “Passion” comes from the Latin term pati, meaning “to endure” or “to suffer.” While today the word “passion” often refers to strong emotions, in biblical theology it represents the suffering of Jesus during His redemptive work for mankind.
The Passion of Christ encompasses all that Jesus endured — emotionally, spiritually, and physically — to pay the ultimate price for humanity’s salvation.
Events in the Passion of Christ
Contrary to popular belief, the Passion of Christ did not begin in the Garden of Gethsemane. It began earlier — when Jesus took upon Himself the sinful nature of humanity — and continued through His death, descent into hell, and ultimate triumph.
Here are the key events that make up the Passion of Christ:
1. Taking the Sinful Nature of Man
Jesus was born sinless, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), and lived a perfect, blameless life (1 John 3:5; 1 Peter 2:22).
However, during the Last Supper, He symbolically took upon Himself the sin of humanity, saying:
“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” — John 6:56
This reveals the divine exchange — our sin imputed to Jesus, and His righteousness imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through this act, Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
2. The Garden of Gethsemane
The Garden of Gethsemane marks the beginning of Jesus’ visible agony. Here, He prayed in deep sorrow, fully aware of what awaited Him.
He faced several overwhelming realities:
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The wrath of God for the sins of mankind
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The impending separation from the Holy Spirit
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The loneliness, humiliation, and physical pain of crucifixion
In His humanity, Jesus prayed:
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” — Matthew 26:39
This moment reveals both the depth of His suffering and His absolute surrender to the Father’s will — showing believers the importance of obedience even in trials.
3. The Betrayal and Abandonment of Jesus
After His prayer, Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of His own disciples, who identified Him with a kiss (Mark 14:43–46).
When the soldiers came to arrest Him, Peter tried to defend Jesus by cutting off a man’s ear, but Jesus healed the wound and forbade violence (Luke 22:51).
As Jesus was taken away, His disciples fled in fear. Peter followed from a distance but later denied knowing Jesus three times — just as the Lord had foretold.
4. The Trials of Jesus
Jesus endured a total of seven trials, both Jewish and Roman. Though He was innocent, false accusations were brought against Him.
Under pressure from the Jewish leaders and the crowd, Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to death, symbolically washing his hands to claim innocence (Matthew 27:24).
Through it all, Jesus remained silent — a perfect example of submission and meekness under unjust suffering.
5. The Physical Assault of Jesus
Before His crucifixion, Jesus endured unimaginable pain and humiliation.
He was:
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Mocked, blindfolded, and beaten by guards
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Scourged with a whip embedded with sharp bones and lead
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Crowned with thorns and dressed in a purple robe in mockery
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Forced to carry His cross through the streets to Golgotha
Isaiah prophesied this suffering long before it happened:
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.” — Isaiah 53:5
Every wound bore spiritual significance — the price of our healing, peace, and forgiveness.
6. The Crucifixion of Jesus
At Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to the cross with large iron spikes — through His wrists and ankles — between two criminals (Luke 23:32–33).
As He hung there, He uttered seven profound statements, culminating in His final words:
“It is finished.” — John 19:30
This declaration marked the completion of redemption. The debt of sin was fully paid, and the way to eternal life was opened for all who believe.
After confirming His death, Roman soldiers pierced His side, and His body was laid in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple and respected member of the council.
7. The Descent into Hell
The Passion of Christ was not complete until Jesus descended into hell (Hades) to defeat sin, death, and the powers of darkness.
“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” — Colossians 2:15
In this final act, Jesus conquered Satan, destroyed death’s authority, and rose in victory — sealing eternal redemption for all who believe.
Why We Must Remember the Passion of Christ
The Passion of Christ is not just a historical event — it’s the foundation of our faith and salvation. We commemorate it because:
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It reveals God’s unconditional love for humanity (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8).
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It demonstrates the price Jesus paid to save us from sin (Romans 5:8).
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It reminds believers of the seriousness of sin and the power of grace.
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It shows the value God places on every human soul.
Conclusion
The Passion of Christ is a timeless message of love, sacrifice, and victory. Through His suffering and death, Jesus conquered sin, death, and hell — and opened the way for eternal life.
His passion invites us not only to remember but also to live in the power of His resurrection, walking daily in faith, gratitude, and obedience.
If this message has blessed you, share your thoughts in the comments or contact us for further spiritual encouragement.
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