Title: Why Did Jesus' Death Need to Be So Painful

Topic: First Coming

Summary: We explore this question, wondering why Jesus didn't die a completely different kind of death, or if the crucifixion was necessary, why not do or take something to dull the pain? The answer is that the experience strengthened Jesus tremendously. It was the ultimate test, and He passed.

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Matthew 20:17-19; 26:56
John 19:28
Luke 1:80; 2:40; 22:42
Joshua 1:1-9; 17:12-13
2 Samuel 3:1
Ezra 6:19
Job 17:9
Psalms 19:1-5
Hebrews 12:1-2
Song of Solomon 8:6
Joel 3:9-11
Zechariah 10:6, 10
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Ephesians 3:13; 6:10-13
Colossians 1:9-11
2 Timothy 4:16-18
Hebrews 11, 12

A 'sword,' as in Ezekiel 21:9-15, signifies a person so desolated that he can see nothing good and true, but only falsities and contradictions. A 'sword,' in the Word, signifies the truth of faith combating and the vastation of truth. In an opposite sense, it signifies falsity combating and the punishment of falsity.

The 'sword,' in Revelation 1:16, represents a dispersion of falsities by the Lord because the sword came out from His mouth, which means it comes from the Word. Because the Word is understood by doctrine taken from it, this is also symbolically meant. It is called a sharp two-edged sword because it pierces the heart and soul.

A 'flaming sword which turned every way,' as in Genesis 3:24, signifies divine truth in extremes, which, like the Word in its literal sense, can be turned.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 2799)