The Passion of Christ

FIFTY REASONS WHY

CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED

1 To Absorb the Wrath of God

Galatians 3:13 (KJV) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 3:25 (KJV) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

1 John 4:10 (KJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.

2 To Please His Heavenly Father

Isaiah 53:10 (KJV) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou
shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the
pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 To Learn Obedience and Be Perfected

Hebrews 5:8 (KJV) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered;

Hebrews 2:10 (KJV) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in
bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

4 To Achieve His Own Resurrection from the Dead

Hebrews 13:20-21 (KJV) 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make
you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

5 To Show the Wealth of God's Love and Grace for Sinners

Romans 5:7-8 (KJV) 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good
man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;

6 To Show His Own Love for Us

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for
us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV) ….even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) …… I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for me.

7 To Cancel the Legal Demands of the Law Against Us

Colossians 2:13 (KJV) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

8 To Become a Ransom for Many

Mark 10:45 (KJV) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give his life a ransom for many.

9 For the Forgiveness of Our Sins

Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;

Matthew 26:28 (KJV) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins.

10 To Provide the Basis for Our Justification

Romans 5:9 (KJV) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from
wrath through him.

Romans 3:24 (KJV) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus:

Romans 3:28 (KJV) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of
the law.

11 To Complete the Obedience That Becomes Our Righteousness

Philippians 2:8 (KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Romans 5:19 (KJV) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might
be made the righteousness of God in him.

Philippians 3:9 (KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

12 To Take Away Our Condemnation

Romans 8:34 (KJV) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen
again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

13 To Abolish Circumcision and All Rituals as the Basis of Salvation

Galatians 5:11 (KJV) And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer
persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

Galatians 6:12 (KJV) As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to
be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

14 To Bring Us to Faith and Keep Us Faithful

Mark 14:24 (KJV) And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed
for many.

Jeremiah 32:40 (KJV) And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn
away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart
from me.

15 To Make Us Holy, Blameless, and Perfect

Hebrews 10:14 (KJV) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Colossians 1:22 (KJV) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and
unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye
are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

16 To Give Us a Clear Conscience

Hebrews 9:14 (KJV) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living
God?

17 To Obtain for Us All Things That Are Good for Us

Romans 8:32 (KJV) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he
not with him also freely give us all things?

18 To Heal Us from Moral and Physical Sickness

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 (KJV) 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were
17
possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our
infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

19 To Give Eternal Life to All Who Believe on Him

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

20 To Deliver Us from the Present Evil Age

Galatians 1:4 (KJV) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil
world, according to the will of God and our Father:

21 To Reconcile Us to God

Romans 5:10 (KJV) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of
his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

22 To Bring Us to God

1 Peter 3:18 (KJV) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Ephesians 2:13 (KJV) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by
the blood of Christ.

23 So That We Might Belong to Him

Romans 7:4 (KJV) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of
Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we
should bring forth fruit unto God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Acts 20:28 (KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with
his own blood.

24 To Give Us Confident Access to the Holiest Place

Hebrews 10:19 (KJV) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood
of Jesus,

25 To Become for Us the Place Where We Meet God

John 2:19-21 (KJV) 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and
wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

26 To Bring the Old Testament Priesthood to an End and Become the Eternal High Priest
Hebrews 7:23-27 (KJV) 23 And former priest…. Were prevented by death: 24 But this man,
because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to
save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those
high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did
once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:24-26 (KJV) 24 For Christ has entered…… into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth
into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since
the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away
sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 10:11-12 (KJV) 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

27 To Become a Sympathetic and Helpful Priest

Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV) 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help
in time of need.

28 To Free Us from the Futility of Our Ancestry

1 Peter 1:18-19 (KJV) 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

29 To Free Us from the Slavery of Sin

Revelation 1:5-6 (KJV) 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten
of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from
our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him
be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:12 (KJV) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own
blood, suffered without the gate.

30 That We Might Die to Sin and Live to Righteousness

1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

31 So That We Would Die to the Law and Bear Fruit for God

Romans 7:4 (KJV) Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of
Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we
should bring forth fruit unto God.

32 To Enable Us to Live for Christ and Not Ourselves

2 Corinthians 5:15 (KJV) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

33 To Make His Cross the Ground of All Our Boasting

Galatians 6:14 (KJV) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

34 To Enable Us to Live by Faith in Him

Galatians 2:20 (KJV) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in
me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.

35 To Give Marriage Its Deepest Meaning

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it;

36 To Create a People Passionate for Good Works

Titus 2:14 (KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

37 To Call Us to Follow His Example of Lowliness and Costly Love

1 Peter 2:19-21 (KJV) 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall
take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps:

Hebrews 12:3-4 (KJV) 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving
against sin.

Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV) 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in
the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found
in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross.

38 To Create a Band of Crucified Followers

Luke 9:23 (KJV) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Matthew 10:38 (KJV) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of
me.

39 To Free Us from Bondage to the Fear of Death

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV) 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their
lifetime subject to bondage.

40 So That We Would Be with Him Immediately After Death

1 Thessalonians 5:10 (KJV) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.

Philippians 1:21 (KJV) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:23 (KJV) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with
Christ; which is far better:
2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,
and to be present with the Lord.

41 To Secure Our Resurrection from the Dead

Romans 6:5 (KJV) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be
also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 8:11 (KJV) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he
that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that
dwelleth in you.

2 Timothy 2:11 (KJV) It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him:

42 To Disarm the Rulers and Authorities

Colossians 2:14-15 (KJV) 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

1 John 3:8 (KJV) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

43 To Unleash the Power of God in the Gospel

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:16 (KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

44 To Destroy the Hostility Between Races

Ephesians 2:14-16 (KJV) 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken
down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the
law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so
making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having
slain the enmity thereby:

45 To Ransom People from Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation

Revelation 5:9 (KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and
to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

46 To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World

John 11:51 (KJV) And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied
that Jesus should die for that nation;

John 10:16 (KJV) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

47 To Rescue Us from Final Judgment

Hebrews 9:28 (KJV) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that
look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

48 To Gain His Joy and Ours

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of
the throne of God.

49 So That He Would Be Crowned with Glory and Honor

Hebrews 2:9 (KJV) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the
suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death
for every man.

Philippians 2:7-9 (KJV) 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Revelation 5:12 (KJV) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

50 To Show That the Worst Evil Is Meant by God for Good

Acts 4:27-28 (KJV) 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
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