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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3739} his own self {G846} bare {G399} our {G2257} sins {G266} in {G1722} his own {G846} body {G4983} on {G1909} the tree {G3586}, that {G2443} we {G2198}, being dead {G581} to sins {G266}, should live {G2198} unto righteousness {G1343}: by {G3739} whose {G846} stripes {G3468} ye were healed {G2390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He himself bore our sins in his body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness — by his wounds you were healed.

Berean Standard Bible

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

American Standard Version

who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Peter 2:24 powerfully encapsulates the core of Christ's redemptive work, articulating His substitutionary sacrifice on the cross as the means by which humanity is liberated from the dominion of sin and empowered to live a life of righteousness. It highlights the profound spiritual transformation and healing that flows from His suffering, establishing the foundation for a believer's new identity and purpose in God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within a broader exhortation to suffering believers, urging them to endure persecution patiently and live honorably among the Gentiles ([1 Peter 2:11-12](/1_peter/2-11-12 "1 Peter 2:11-12 - Live Honorably Among Gentiles")). Peter has just presented Christ as the ultimate example of suffering unjustly yet responding with perfect submission and non-retaliation ([1 Peter 2:21-23](/1_peter/2-21-23 "1 Peter 2:21-23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")). Verse 24 then transitions from Christ's passive endurance to the active, redemptive purpose of His suffering. It explains *why* Christ suffered—not merely as a moral example, but as a substitutionary sacrifice that effects spiritual change and healing, laying the theological groundwork for the believer's call to righteousness in the face of adversity. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for Peter's subsequent ethical instructions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter is addressing "elect exiles of the Dispersion" ([1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to Exiles"))—Christians scattered throughout various Roman provinces in Asia Minor. These believers faced social ostracism, verbal abuse, and potentially state-sanctioned persecution for their refusal to participate in pagan religious practices or emperor worship. The reference to the "tree" (ξύλον, *xylon*) directly alludes to crucifixion, a brutal and humiliating form of execution employed by the Roman Empire, which was also associated with the curse of the Law in Jewish thought ([Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is Everyone Who Hangs on a Tree")). By emphasizing Christ's suffering "on the tree" and His bearing of sins, Peter grounds the believers' present suffering in the greater, redemptive suffering of their Lord, offering both comfort and a model for their own endurance.

* **Key Themes:** First Peter 2:24 is rich with fundamental Christian themes. **Substitutionary Atonement** is central, as Christ "bare our sins in his own body," taking the penalty for humanity's transgression upon Himself. This act leads directly to **Deliverance from Sin's Dominion**, expressed as "being dead to sins," signifying a complete break from sin's enslaving power. This freedom is not an end in itself but enables a **New Life of Righteousness**, as believers are called to "live unto righteousness." The phrase "by whose stripes ye were healed" introduces the theme of **Spiritual Healing and Wholeness**, primarily from the terminal disease of sin, but also encompassing the comprehensive restoration that Christ's atoning work provides, echoing the prophetic language of [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Stripes We Are Healed"). The verse thus encapsulates the profound transformation from condemnation and spiritual death to justification and new life in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bare (Greek, _anaphérō'_):** From G399, meaning "to take up (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies Christ's act of lifting up and carrying the burden and penalty of our sins upon Himself, specifically to the cross. This emphasizes the vicarious nature of His sacrifice, where He bore what was due to us.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From G266, meaning "a sin (properly abstract)." This refers to the comprehensive reality of human transgression, rebellion against God, and the resulting guilt and alienation. Christ's bearing of "our sins" means He took the full weight and consequence of humanity's moral failures.
* **stripes (Greek, _mṓlōps'_):** From G3468, meaning "a mole ('black eye') or blow-mark." This word refers to the painful welts, bruises, and lacerations inflicted by scourging. It vividly describes the physical suffering Christ endured, linking directly to the prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 and emphasizing the physical agony that was part of His atoning work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree":** This clause identifies Jesus Christ ("Who his own self") as the active agent in redemption. The phrase "bare our sins" underscores the concept of substitutionary atonement, where Christ personally took the guilt and penalty of humanity's transgressions upon Himself. This act occurred "in his own body," emphasizing the physical reality of His suffering, and "on the tree," a direct reference to the cross, the instrument of His crucifixion and the place where He fulfilled the curse of the Law.
* **"that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness":** This clause articulates the dual purpose and transformative effect of Christ's sacrifice. "That we, being dead to sins" signifies a radical break from the power and dominion of sin; through Christ's death, believers are spiritually severed from their former enslavement to sin. The subsequent phrase, "should live unto righteousness," describes the positive outcome: this liberation enables and empowers believers to pursue and embody a life characterized by conformity to God's will and moral uprightness, reflecting their new identity in Christ.
* **"by whose stripes ye were healed":** This final clause reiterates the efficacy of Christ's suffering. "By whose stripes" refers to the physical suffering and wounds Christ endured during His scourging and crucifixion. "Ye were healed" primarily denotes spiritual healing from the terminal disease of sin, which brings spiritual death and separation from God. This healing encompasses forgiveness, reconciliation, and the restoration of a right relationship with God, though it also speaks to the comprehensive nature of Christ's redemptive work, which can extend to physical and emotional healing as well.

#### Literary Devices
First Peter 2:24 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. **Substitution** is the overarching theme, clearly articulated by Christ bearing "our sins" in "his own body," highlighting His vicarious sacrifice. The phrase "on the tree" is a powerful **metonymy** for the cross, an instrument of death that becomes the means of life. There is also a strong **allusion** to [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Stripes We Are Healed"), where the "stripes" and "healing" directly echo the prophecy of the suffering servant, connecting Christ's work to Old Testament messianic expectations. Furthermore, the verse features a striking **antithesis** and **paradox** in the phrases "being dead to sins" and "should live unto righteousness." This juxtaposition emphasizes the radical spiritual transformation: death to one state (sin's dominion) leads to life in another (righteousness), illustrating the profound reversal brought about by Christ's atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a theological cornerstone, presenting the profound doctrine of substitutionary atonement, where Christ, as the sinless Lamb of God, willingly took upon Himself the sin and its penalty that rightfully belonged to humanity. His suffering on the cross was not merely an example of endurance, but a divine act of justice and mercy, satisfying God's righteous demands against sin while simultaneously offering forgiveness and reconciliation. This act fundamentally shifts the believer's spiritual status: from being enslaved by sin and spiritually dead, they are liberated to live a new life characterized by righteousness. The "healing" spoken of is primarily spiritual, addressing the root cause of humanity's brokenness—sin—and restoring fellowship with God, a comprehensive wholeness that flows from Christ's complete work.

* [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")
* [Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Peter 2:24 calls us to a profound contemplation of Christ's unparalleled love and sacrifice. To truly grasp that Christ, "his own self," bore the full weight of *our* sins—the very transgressions, failures, and rebellion that separated us from a holy God—in His own body on the cross, should evoke an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. This truth frees us from the impossible burden of earning our salvation and empowers us to live not under the dominion of sin, but in the liberating reality of God's grace. Because we are "dead to sins" through His work, we are no longer slaves to our old desires and patterns; instead, we are called and enabled to "live unto righteousness," actively pursuing holiness and reflecting Christ's character in our daily lives. The spiritual healing we receive by His stripes transforms our identity and purpose, empowering us to endure suffering with hope, knowing that our ultimate healing and restoration are secured in Him. This verse serves as a constant reminder that our salvation is entirely Christ's doing, and our response should be one of continuous surrender, joyful obedience, and loving service, living out the new life He so costly purchased for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that Christ "bare our sins in his own body on the tree" deepen your understanding of God's love and justice?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to more fully embrace being "dead to sins" and actively "live unto righteousness"?**
* **Considering the spiritual healing offered by Christ's stripes, how does this impact your perspective on personal brokenness, suffering, and the pursuit of wholeness?**

### FAQ
**What does "on the tree" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "on the tree" (Greek: ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον, *epi to xylon*) is a direct and poignant reference to the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified. In ancient contexts, "tree" was a common way to refer to a wooden stake or cross used for execution. Beyond its literal meaning, it carries significant theological weight, particularly for a Jewish audience. It alludes to [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is Everyone Who Hangs on a Tree"), which states that "anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse." By dying "on the tree," Christ not only endured the physical and emotional agony of crucifixion but also symbolically became a curse for humanity, thereby freeing believers from the curse of the Law and the penalty of sin ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")).

**Is the "healing" mentioned in this verse primarily physical or spiritual?**

Answer: While God certainly has the power to bring physical healing, the primary emphasis of the "healing" in [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By Whose Stripes We Were Healed") is spiritual. The context of the verse, particularly the preceding phrase "that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness," clearly points to a spiritual transformation. Humanity's fundamental problem is sin, which leads to spiritual death and separation from God. Christ's work on the cross provides the ultimate remedy for this condition, bringing forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. Therefore, the "healing" refers to being cured from the disease of sin, restoring a right relationship with God, and enabling a life of righteousness. This spiritual healing is comprehensive and foundational, and while it doesn't exclude the possibility of physical healing as part of Christ's redemptive work, it is not its primary focus here.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Peter 2:24 stands as a powerful declaration of Christ's unique and ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In His own person, Jesus perfectly embodied the Suffering Servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), taking upon Himself the very "sins" that separated humanity from a holy God. His willing submission to death "on the tree"—the cross—was the climactic act of substitution, where the sinless Son of God became sin for us, bearing the curse and penalty we deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). This was not merely an act of moral example, but a divine transaction that secured our spiritual freedom. Through His death, Christ brought about a radical new reality: believers are now "dead to sins," signifying a complete break from sin's dominion and condemnation ([Romans 6:1-14](/romans/6-1-14 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")). This liberation enables us to "live unto righteousness," empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to pursue a life pleasing to God, reflecting the very character of Christ. The "healing" by His "stripes" speaks to the comprehensive spiritual restoration He accomplished, mending the broken relationship between God and humanity and offering eternal life to all who believe, a new covenant reality secured by His finished work on Calvary ([Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ Bore Our Sins")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:4

¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 8:17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 22:2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.

1 John 2:29

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

James 5:16

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.