King James Version

What Does 1 Peter 2:24 Mean?

1 Peter 2:24 in the King James Version says “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:...” — study this verse from 1 Peter chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. on: or, to”

1 Peter 2:24 · KJV

Context

22

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: himself: or, his cause

24

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. on: or, to

25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents the substitutionary atonement with remarkable clarity. Christ "bare our sins" (anēnegken tas hamartias)—the verb means to carry upward, used of sacrifices offered on the altar, indicating Christ bore sin's penalty as our substitute. The phrase "in his own body" emphasizes the incarnation's necessity: only the God-man could satisfy divine justice. "On the tree" (epi to xylon) deliberately uses Old Testament language for crucifixion, connecting Jesus to Deuteronomy 21:23's curse, quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:13. The purpose clause reveals two-fold transformation: "being dead to sins" (apogenomenoi tais hamartiais, having died to sins) describes positional justification through union with Christ's death, while "should live unto righteousness" expresses progressive sanctification—justified believers grow in holiness. The phrase "by whose stripes ye were healed" (tō mōlōpi iathēte) quotes Isaiah 53:5, with the aorist passive indicating completed action: believers were decisively healed at Calvary, primarily referring to spiritual healing from sin's corruption, though not excluding ultimate physical resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter, eyewitness to Christ's crucifixion and post-resurrection appearances, writes with profound personal reflection on the cross's meaning. For first-century readers familiar with Roman crucifixion's horror, "the tree" carried visceral impact—a gruesome execution reserved for slaves and insurrectionists. Peter's quotation of Isaiah 53 (the Suffering Servant passage) demonstrates early Christian interpretation of Christ's death as prophetically predicted and divinely ordained substitutionary atonement, not tragic accident or martyrdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Christ bearing your specific sins 'in his own body' deepen your gratitude and worship?
  2. What does it mean practically to 'live unto righteousness' as one who has died to sin, and where do you most struggle with this transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
οὗ1 of 25

“Who”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τὰς2 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίαις3 of 25

“sins”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἡμῶν4 of 25

“our”

G2257

of (or from) us

αὐτοῦ5 of 25

“his own self”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀνήνεγκεν6 of 25

“bare”

G399

to take up (literally or figuratively)

ἐν7 of 25

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ8 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματι9 of 25

“body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

αὐτοῦ10 of 25

“his own self”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐπὶ11 of 25

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ12 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ξύλον13 of 25

“the tree”

G3586

timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance

ἵνα14 of 25

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ταῖς15 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίαις16 of 25

“sins”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ἀπογενόμενοι17 of 25

“being dead”

G581

absent, i.e., deceased (figuratively, renounced)

τῇ18 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δικαιοσύνῃ19 of 25

“unto righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

ζήσωμεν20 of 25

“should live”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

οὗ21 of 25

“Who”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τῷ22 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μώλωπι23 of 25

“stripes”

G3468

probably akin to the base of g3433) and probably ?? (the face; from g3700); a mole ("black eye") or blow-mark

αὐτοῦ24 of 25

“his own self”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἰάθητε25 of 25

“ye were healed”

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Peter 2:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Peter 2:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 53:4-6Matthew 8:17Romans 6:11Revelation 22:21 John 2:29James 5:16

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