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Biblical theme · Human experience

Suffering in the Bible

How the Bible speaks of suffering without hiding it: lament, the book of Job, the sufferings of Jesus, the meaning Paul finds in trials, and warnings against simple explanations.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.

Introduction

The Bible does not hide suffering. It contains laments that cry out to God, a whole book about a righteous man who loses everything, and the suffering and death of Jesus. Psalm 22:1–2Job 1:20–22Mark 15:34

Scripture offers no single, simple explanation. It warns against assuming that suffering is always punishment, and it speaks of God’s presence and of hope that is larger than present pain. John 9:1–3Romans 8:18

Central passages

  • Psalm 22:1–11

    “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” A cry later spoken by Jesus on the cross.

  • Psalm 88:1–18

    A lament that ends in darkness. Its place in Scripture shows such prayers are not forbidden.

  • Hebrews 4:15–16

    We have a high priest who can sympathise with our weaknesses.

  • Romans 5:3–5

    Suffering produces perseverance, character and hope.

  • Romans 8:18–28

    Present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed; creation groans; the Spirit helps us.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

    Pressed on every side but not crushed; our outer self is wasting away, but the inner self is renewed.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3–7

    The God of all comfort comforts us so that we can comfort others.

Across Scripture

Each passage is labelled with why it belongs: central teaching, narrative example, supporting passage, comparison, contrast or interpretive connection.

Lament

The psalms give words for pain, including prayers that end without resolution.

  • Psalm 22:1–11 Central teaching

    “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” A cry later spoken by Jesus on the cross.

  • Psalm 88:1–18 Central teaching

    A lament that ends in darkness. Its place in Scripture shows such prayers are not forbidden.

  • Lamentations 3:1–24 Supporting passage

    Grief over Jerusalem’s fall, turning to hope in God’s mercies.

The book of Job

Job loses his children, wealth and health. His friends explain his suffering as punishment; God later says they were wrong.

  • Job 1:13–22 Narrative example

    Job loses everything and worships: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away.”

  • Job 2:11–13 Narrative example

    Job’s friends sit with him in silence for seven days before they speak.

  • Job 38:1–11 Narrative example

    God answers Job out of the whirlwind, with questions rather than an explanation.

  • Job 42:7–10 Narrative example

    God says the friends have not spoken rightly, as Job has; Job prays for them.

The suffering of Jesus

The New Testament presents Jesus as one who suffered and can sympathise with human weakness.

  • Mark 14:32–36 Narrative example

    In Gethsemane Jesus is “greatly troubled and distressed” and prays for the cup to pass.

  • Hebrews 4:15–16 Central teaching

    We have a high priest who can sympathise with our weaknesses.

  • Isaiah 53:3–5 Interpretive connection (an interpretation, not a statement of the text)

    A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. The New Testament applies this passage to Jesus (Acts 8:32-35).

Suffering and hope

Paul speaks of suffering producing endurance and hope, of present sufferings outweighed by future glory, and of comfort passed on to others.

  • Romans 5:3–5 Central teaching

    Suffering produces perseverance, character and hope.

  • Romans 8:18–28 Central teaching

    Present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed; creation groans; the Spirit helps us.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7–18 Central teaching

    Pressed on every side but not crushed; our outer self is wasting away, but the inner self is renewed.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3–7 Central teaching

    The God of all comfort comforts us so that we can comfort others.

Not always punishment

Jesus rejects the assumption that people suffer because they are worse sinners.

  • John 9:1–3 Contrast

    Asked who sinned, the blind man or his parents, Jesus answers, “Neither.”

  • Luke 13:1–5 Contrast

    Those killed when a tower fell were not worse offenders than others.

  • Genesis 50:20 Comparison

    Joseph says what others meant for harm, God meant for good. This does not make the harm good.

Stories that show this theme

People associated with this theme

  • Job

    Job’s story is the Bible’s longest reflection on suffering. Job 1:21

Distinctions and questions of interpretation

Suffering and sin
Some suffering in Scripture follows wrongdoing, but Jesus and the book of Job refuse to make that a rule for every case. John 9:2–3Job 42:7
Explaining and comforting
Job’s friends did best when they sat silently with him. Paul tells believers to weep with those who weep. Job 2:13Romans 12:15

Related themes

Life situations

Questions for reflection

Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.

  1. What does it mean to you that laments like Psalm 88 are in the Bible?
  2. Where did Job’s friends go wrong, according to Job 42:7?
  3. How does Jesus answer the question in John 9:2?
  4. How can you comfort someone in pain without explaining it away?

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