1 Peter 2:24
What does 1 Peter 2:24 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 2:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 2:24 means
Christ Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live to righteousness. By His stripes, we were healed. This is substitution: our guilt laid upon Him; His wounds become our cure. The goal is ethical transformation—liberation from sin’s dominion into a life shaped by God’s standards. The “tree” recalls the cross, where He carried the burden we could not bear. Healing here is primarily spiritual—restoration to God through forgiveness and new life. Grace is not merely pardon; it is power to live differently, flowing from the crucified and risen Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He took our sins on himself, giving his body to be nailed on the tree, so that we, being dead to sin, might have a new life in righteousness, and by his wounds we have been made well.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who our sins himself did bear in his body, upon the tree, that to the sins having died, to the righteousness we may live; by whose stripes ye were healed,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who his own self bore our sins in his body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, in order that, being dead to sins, we may live to righteousness: by whose stripes ye have been healed.
Context
Verse 24 crowns the passage on Christ’s suffering by declaring its saving purpose and effect. Having shown His innocence and trust (vv. 22–23), Peter now states that His death dealt with sin and enabled righteous living. This provides the deepest rationale for enduring hardship without sinning: believers share in a new life sourced in Christ’s cross. Verse 25 will conclude with the pastoral reassurance that they have returned to the care of their Shepherd and Overseer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 5:16
Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.
- Matthew 27:26
Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.
- Colossians 3:3
For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Hebrews 12:13
and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
- 1 Peter 4:1
Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
- John 1:29
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
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