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Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Our Lord and the Faith › Nature of our Lord Jesus Christ

The question

Who felt the pain on the cross? Is it only the human nature of Christ, or both human and divine? Can we legitimately think of two natures to Christ or just one united nature that suffered? If the Son is ALWAYS in union with the father, did the father feel the pain of the cross while the Son was suffering?

The answer

It is the human nature of Christ that felt the pain on the cross. Christ as Man prayed, felt hungry, thirsty, tired and suffered pain. Although His human nature was united with His godhead and were not separated for one moment or a twinkling of an eye, the divine nature did not feel pain for the godhead is beyond suffering, only His human nature did feel the pain of the cross.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 965 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.