Rachel Evans
The Passion of Christ is a term used by Christians to refer to the final period of Jesus' life, beginning with his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and ending with his death on the cross. The word passion is derived from the Latin pati or passio, which means to suffer or endure, and is used to describe the suffering Jesus endured for the redemption of humanity. The Passion is commemorated annually during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, with readings from the Gospel and various devotions and rituals in Catholic and other liturgical churches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning of "Passion" | From the Latin pati, passio, patior, or patior, meaning "to suffer", "bear", or "endure" |
| Theological Meaning | The time from Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the cross—the time of His greatest suffering |
| Suffering | Jesus' suffering was real, excruciating, and genuine |
| Purpose | Jesus suffered to pay for our sins, to save those who would trust in Him, and to make us right with God |
| Biblical References | Matthew 26:36–27:56, Mark 14:32–15:41, Luke 22:39–23:49, John 18:1–19:37, Isaiah 53:4–12, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Luke 22:42, Mark 14:66-72 |
| Holy Week | Most Christian denominations read one or more narratives of the Passion during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday |
| Roman Rite | A large cross depicting the crucified Christ is brought out into the church and each of the faithful comes forward to venerate the cross |
| Byzantine Rite | The Matins service for Good Friday is called Matins of the Twelve Passion Gospels, with 12 readings from the Gospel Book |
| Moravian Church | Congregations read the entire story of Jesus' final week during Holy Week, with daily meetings and hymn verses |
| Stations of the Cross | Series of religious reflections describing Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion, found in most Catholic churches and many Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist parishes |
| Little Office of the Passion | Created by Francis of Assisi, it associates five specific moments in Jesus' Passion with specific hours of the day |
| Five Sacred Wounds | Wounds inflicted on Christ's hands, feet, and side during the Crucifixion; have been the subject of devotion for many centuries |
| Historical Accuracy | Corroborated by contemporary Roman historians Tacitus, Seutonius, and Pliny the Younger, as well as archaeological discoveries and modern medical examination |
| Passion Plays | Re-enactments of the last few hours of Jesus' life, popular around Easter |
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What You'll Learn
- The Passion of Christ refers to the final period before Jesus's death, including his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death
- The Passion is derived from the Latin pati or passio, meaning to suffer or suffering
- The Passion is commemorated annually during Holy Week, with specific prayers and devotions in the Catholic Church
- The Stations of the Cross are religious reflections depicting Christ carrying the cross, found in many Catholic churches
- The Five Sacred Wounds of Christ inflicted during the Crucifixion have been a devotion for Roman Catholics for centuries
The Passion of Christ refers to the final period before Jesus's death, including his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death
The Passion of Christ refers to the final period of Jesus's life, commencing with his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and ending with his death on the cross. The word "passion" is derived from the Latin "pati", meaning "to suffer" or "to endure", and Christ's passion was indeed a time of immense suffering.
The Passion of Christ is described in the four canonical gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It includes several key events, such as Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing of the Temple, the Last Supper, his agony in the garden, his arrest, his trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, his crucifixion, and his death and burial.
Jesus's trial was twofold, involving both religious and civil authorities. First, he was examined by Jewish religious authorities, who found him guilty of blasphemy for claiming to be the Messiah. However, they did not carry out the punishment themselves but instead referred the case to Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator. Pilate presented Jesus to the crowd, who chanted for his crucifixion. Fearing a revolt, Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
Jesus carried his cross to the place of execution, where he was nailed to the cross and left to die. The crucifixion caused slow asphyxiation, and to hasten death, the soldiers would break the legs of the victim. After Jesus died, his heart was pierced with a lance, and his body was buried.
The Passion of Christ is commemorated during Holy Week, especially on Good Friday, by Christian denominations worldwide. Congregations may read the Passion narratives, hold vigils, or participate in re-enactments of the Descent from the Cross. In Catholic churches, the Stations of the Cross are often used to commemorate the Passion, and specific prayers and devotions are offered as "acts of reparation" for Jesus's suffering.
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The Passion is derived from the Latin pati or passio, meaning to suffer or suffering
The Passion, derived from the Latin "pati" or "passio," meaning "to suffer" or "suffering," is a term used in Christian theology to refer to the final period of Jesus' life, commencing with his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and concluding with his death on the cross. This period, marked by intense suffering and anguish, holds significant theological importance.
The Latin root of "passion," whether "pati," "passio," or "patior," conveys the idea of enduring or bearing suffering. This etymology reflects the essence of Christ's Passion, which involves his willingness to endure excruciating physical and emotional pain for the redemption of humanity's sins. The Passion of Christ, as depicted in the Gospels, includes significant events such as Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his cleansing of the Temple, the Last Supper, his agony in the garden, his arrest, trial before the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, and ultimately, his crucifixion and death.
The Passion of Christ has been a central theme in Christian theology and devotion. It is commemorated annually during Holy Week, with Good Friday being a particularly significant day for remembrance. Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, engage in various rituals and readings to reflect on Christ's suffering. The Stations of the Cross, found in many Catholic churches, serve as visual representations of the stages of Christ's journey to crucifixion, providing a meditative framework for believers.
The Little Office of the Passion, created by Francis of Assisi, associates specific moments in Jesus' Passion with different hours of the day, structuring devotional practices. Additionally, the Catholic tradition includes specific prayers, such as the Passion Offices, as acts of reparation for the insults and sufferings Jesus endured. These acts aim to repair the sins committed against Jesus and emphasize the redemptive nature of his sacrifice.
The Passion of Christ is not merely an emotional or fleeting experience. It is a profound expression of God's agape love for humanity—a sacrificial love that seeks the highest good for others, even in the face of immense suffering. Through Christ's Passion, believers are made right with God, and the power of his sacrifice continues to move and transform human spirits.
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The Passion is commemorated annually during Holy Week, with specific prayers and devotions in the Catholic Church
The Passion of Christ refers to the period between Jesus's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and his death on the cross, the time of his greatest suffering. The word "passion" is derived from the Latin "pati," meaning "to suffer," "to bear," or "to endure." The Passion is commemorated annually during Holy Week, with specific prayers and devotions in the Catholic Church.
During Holy Week, most Christian denominations will read one or more narratives of the Passion, especially on Good Friday. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a large cross depicting the crucified Christ is brought out into the church, and each member of the congregation comes forward to venerate the cross. The entire congregation participates in reading the Passion Gospel during the Palm Sunday Mass and the Good Friday service. These readings are divided into parts, with the priest reading the part of Christ, a narrator reading the narrative, and other readers taking on the remaining speaking parts.
The Stations of the Cross is another Catholic devotion observed during Holy Week, particularly on Good Friday. This tradition involves moving around stations that depict Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion, with each station serving as a reflection on this journey. Most Catholic churches have these stations placed along the sidewalls of the nave, often in the form of small plaques with reliefs or paintings.
The Little Office of the Passion, created by Francis of Assisi, is another devotion that associates specific moments in Jesus's Passion with particular hours of the day. For example, Compline (21:00) represents Jesus's Arrest on the Mount of Olives, while Matins (00:00) signifies his Trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin.
The Catholic Church also includes specific prayers, such as the Passion Offices, as acts of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during his Passion. These prayers do not involve petitions for specific beneficiaries but aim to repair the sins committed against Jesus.
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The Stations of the Cross are religious reflections depicting Christ carrying the cross, found in many Catholic churches
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, the Via Crucis, or the Via Dolorosa, is a series of fourteen images or carvings depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion. The stations are derived from the imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, which symbolises the path Jesus walked from Lions' Gate to Mount Calvary. The objective of the stations is to help Christians make a spiritual pilgrimage through contemplation of the Passion of Christ.
The Stations of the Cross is a popular devotion that can be found in many Catholic churches, as well as Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist parishes. The stations are typically placed at intervals along the sidewalls of the nave and can vary in style, form, and placement. They may be small plaques with reliefs or paintings, or simple crosses with a numeral in the centre.
The devotion of the Stations of the Cross involves visiting and praying in front of each of the fourteen stations, meditating on the Passion of Christ. This practice is especially common during Lent and on Fridays throughout the year, commemorating Christ's Crucifixion on Good Friday. The devotion may be done individually or in a group, and worshippers may move from one station to another, stopping at each to say prayers and engage in reflections.
The Stations of the Cross originated from the ancient Christian practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In the 4th century, pilgrims travelled to the Holy Land to walk in Jesus's footsteps and later recreated their journey at home. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Franciscans built outdoor shrines in Europe that duplicated those in the Holy Land, and they placed images along the Jerusalem route, which were then displayed in churches.
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The Five Sacred Wounds of Christ inflicted during the Crucifixion have been a devotion for Roman Catholics for centuries
The Passion of Christ refers to the short final period before the death of Jesus, described in the four canonical gospels. It is recorded in Matthew 26:36–27:56, Mark 14:32–15:41, Luke 22:39–23:49, and John 18:1–19:37. The Passion includes events such as Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, his anointing, the Last Supper, his agony, his arrest, his trial, his crucifixion, and his death. The term is derived from the Latin word 'pati', which means 'to endure' or 'to suffer'.
The Five Sacred Wounds of Christ, also known as the Five Holy Wounds or the Five Precious Wounds, are the five piercing wounds that Jesus Christ suffered during his crucifixion. These wounds have been a devotion for Roman Catholics for centuries. The five wounds are the nail holes in Christ's right and left hands and feet and the wound to his torso from the piercing of the spear. The wounds from the crown of thorns and the lash marks from the flagellation are not included as they did not occur on the cross.
Devotion to the Five Sacred Wounds has been expressed in various ways throughout history. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the zealous activity of Bernard of Clairvaux and Francis of Assisi, along with the enthusiasm of the Crusaders returning from the Holy Land, contributed to a rise in devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. Many medieval prayers honouring the Holy Wounds have been preserved, including some attributed to Clare of Assisi. Mechtilde and Gertrude of Helfta were also devoted to the Holy Wounds, with the latter reciting a daily prayer honouring the 5,466 wounds believed to have been inflicted on Jesus during his Passion.
In the 14th century, it was customary in southern Germany to recite fifteen Pater Nosters each day in memory of the Holy Wounds, amounting to 5,475 in a year. There was also a special Mass in honour of Christ's wounds, known as the Golden Mass, during which five candles were lit. The Dominican Rosary also promoted devotion to the Holy Wounds, with the five large beads and corresponding Pater Nosters intended to honour the Five Wounds.
The First Thursdays Devotion, or the Act of Reparation to the Wounds of Jesus and to the Holy Eucharist, originated from the apparitions of Christ reported by Alexandrina Maria da Costa in the 20th century. In the 20th century, Sister Mary Martha Chambon, a Roman Catholic nun in France, introduced the Chaplet of the Holy Wounds (or "Holy Wounds Rosary"), which has 25 beads grouped into five sets. Each bead is recited with a Gloria Patri, and at the end of each section, a Hail Mary is said in honour of the sorrows of Mary.
The devotion to the Five Sacred Wounds continues to be observed in the present day. Pope Francis has regularly spoken about the traditional devotion during the Holy Season of Lent, and the media has covered his encouragement of this devotion during meetings with religious order priests.
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Frequently asked questions
The Passion of Christ refers to the period between Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and his death on the cross, during which he suffered to pay for the sins of humanity.
The word "passion" comes from the Latin "pati" or "passio", which means "to suffer" or "to endure".
During Holy Week, most Christian denominations read one or more narratives of the Passion, especially on Good Friday. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a large cross depicting the crucified Christ is brought out, and the Passion Gospel is read by the whole congregation.
The Five Precious Wounds are the wounds inflicted on Christ during the Crucifixion: on his hands, feet, and side. These wounds have been the subject of devotion for Roman Catholics for many centuries, and several churches and prayers are dedicated to them.
The Passion of Christ is significant because it demonstrates Jesus' love for humanity. Through his suffering and death, he redeemed humanity and made it possible for people to be saved and have their sins washed away.
