1PE 2:21-25

Christʼs Example of Suffering

21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps.

22He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he made no threats — but kept entrusting himself to the one who judges justly.

24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we, having died to sin, might live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

25For you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman world, suffering was often seen as a mark of shame or divine disfavor, particularly in the context of public execution. Crucifixion, referred to here as 'the tree' , was the ultimate dishonor, reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest classes. For Jewish listeners, suffering could also be understood through the lens of Isaiah’s suffering servant, who bore the sins of others (Isaiah 53). The term (example) evokes the idea of a model to be traced, like a child learning to write, emphasizing Christ’s suffering as a pattern to follow. The mention of wounds recalls the physical brutality of Roman punishment, particularly scourging, which was both painful and humiliating. The imagery of straying sheep and returning to a shepherd would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34, where God is depicted as the caring shepherd of Israel. This passage reframes suffering as honorable when endured in imitation of Christ, who bore injustice without retaliation.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

1PE 2:21

KJV: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
BSB: For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
Koinōnos: For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps.

1PE 2:22

KJV: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
BSB: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
Koinōnos: He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

1PE 2:23

KJV: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
BSB: When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
Koinōnos: When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he made no threats — but kept entrusting himself to the one who judges justly.

1PE 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.
BSB: 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.”
Koinōnos: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we, having died to sin, might live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

1PE 2:25

KJV: For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
BSB: For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Koinōnos: For you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Where the historical framing draws from

Tacitus, AnnalsAnn. 15.44

›Tacitus, Annals Ann. 15.44

“Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus”

Cited to ground: Crucifixion, referred to here as 'the tree' , was the ultimate dishonor, reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest classes.

Translator's notes

1PE 2:21

an example:The word translated 'an example' refers to a writing guide or an outline that someone would trace over to learn how to write, implying a pattern to be followed precisely.

1PE 2:24

tree:The term translated 'tree' here specifically refers to a piece of wood, often cut timber, and in this context, it alludes to the wooden cross.
wounds:The word translated 'wounds' describes the marks left by a beating or scourging, such as weals, bruises, or stripes, rather than open cuts.

1PE 2:25

Overseer:The term translated 'Overseer' carries the sense of a guardian or watchman, someone who actively looks after and protects, not just a manager.