Christ's Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension

Question 78

What did Jesus Christ suffer?

Jesus Christ suffered a bloody sweat, a cruel scourging, was crowned with thorns, and was crucified.

Question 79

On what day did Christ die?

Christ died on Good Friday.

Question 80

Why do you call that day "good" on which Christ died so sorrowful a death?

We call that day "good" on which Christ died because by His death He showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing.

Question 81

Where did Christ die?

Christ died on Mount Calvary.

Question 82

How did Christ die?

Christ was nailed to the Cross and died on it between two thieves.

Question 83

Why did Christ suffer and die?

Christ suffered and died for our sins.

Question 84

What lessons do we learn from the sufferings and death of Christ?

From the sufferings and death of Christ we learn the great evil of sin, the hatred God bears to it, and the necessity of satisfying for it.

Question 85

Where did Christ's soul go after His death?

After Christ's death His soul descended into hell.

Question 86

Did Christ's soul descend into the hell of the damned?

The hell into which Christ's soul descended was not the hell of the damned, but a place or state of rest called Limbo, where the souls of the just were waiting for Him.

Question 87

Why did Christ descend into Limbo?

Christ descended into Limbo to preach to the souls who were in prison—that is, to announce to them the joyful tidings of their redemption.

Question 88

Where was Christ's body while His soul was in Limbo?

While Christ's soul was in Limbo His body was in the holy sepulchre.

Question 89

On what day did Christ rise from the dead?

Christ rose from the dead, glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after His death.

Question 90

How long did Christ stay on earth after His resurrection?

Christ stayed on earth forty days after His resurrection to show that He was truly risen from the dead, and to instruct His Apostles.

Question 91

After Christ had remained forty days on earth whither did He go?

After forty days Christ ascended into heaven, and the day on which He ascended into heaven is called Ascension day.

Question 92

Where is Christ in heaven?

In heaven Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Question 93

What do you mean by saying that Christ sits at the right hand Of God?

When I say that Christ sits at the right hand of God I mean that Christ as God is equal to His Father in all things, and that as man He is in the highest place in heaven next to God.

The Passion and Good Friday

Questions 78, 79, 80, 81, 82

Passion here means Christ's suffering. The lesson names several episodes before concentrating on the Cross at Calvary. Good Friday is called good because Christians remember the saving love revealed there, not because torture or execution is good. Luke's account includes Jesus' words to others and the reactions of witnesses. Reading that narrative prevents the short list of sufferings from becoming detached from the person who undergoes them.

Saving love and responsibility

Questions 83, 84

The claim that Christ died for sins concerns the whole human need for redemption. It must not become collective blame against Jewish people. Catechism 597 explicitly rejects such blame, both for Jews at the time and for later generations. The same section treats Christ's death within God's saving purpose and human freedom. For personal reflection, the lesson's language about sin calls for conversion and gratitude; it is not a reason to justify cruelty toward anyone.

The descent to the dead

Questions 85, 86, 87, 88

In this part of the Creed, hell means the realm of the dead, not the state of final damnation. The lesson itself distinguishes the meanings. Catechism 632–637 explains that Jesus truly died and brought salvation to the just who preceded him. The older term Limbo here refers to those awaiting the Redeemer; it should not be confused with later discussions about infants who die without baptism. The reference to the tomb maintains the reality of his bodily death.

Resurrection and encounter

Questions 89, 90

Resurrection is more than the recovery of an injured person or the continuation of a teacher's influence. Luke describes the risen Jesus meeting disciples and assuring them of his identity. The Catechism distinguishes his glorified life from an ordinary return to earthly life. Read the encounter with its questions, recognition, and instruction. Acts 1 supplies the forty-day period named in the answer and connects it with teaching about God's kingdom.

Ascension and the Father's right hand

Questions 91, 92, 93

The expression right hand is language of glory and authority, not a diagram of God's physical body. Catechism 659–664 explains the Ascension in relation to Christ's glorified humanity and heavenly reign. Acts directs the disciples toward witness and the promised Holy Spirit. The lesson therefore leads naturally into the next subject: how Christ's mission continues in the Church through the Spirit's gift.

Luke 23:33–49

The crucifixion account includes Christ's words, the two criminals, his death, and the witnesses.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. 44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

Luke 24:36–49

The risen Jesus encounters the disciples and connects his suffering and rising with their mission.

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:1–11

The opening of Acts places the forty days, Ascension, and promise of the Spirit in one narrative.

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.