²² The Messiah carried the sicknesses of others and bore their pains. He lifted up their burdens, so to speak, placed them on his own shoulders, and carried them. And since sickness and pain are consequences of mankind’s sinful state, the Messiah carried the sins of others. Many did not understand the reason for his suffering and believed that God was punishing him, plaguing him with a loathsome disease.c

23. In what way did Jesus bear the suffering of others?

²³ How did Jesus bear the suffering of others? The Gospel of Matthew, quoting Isaiah 53:4, says: “People brought him many demon-possessed persons; and he expelled the spirits with a word, and he cured all who were faring badly; that there might be fulfilled what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He himself took our sicknesses and carried our diseases.’” (Matthew 8:16, 17) By curing those who came to him with various diseases, Jesus, in effect, took their suffering upon himself. And such healings drew on his vitality. (Luke 8:43-48) His ability to heal all kinds of ailments​—physical and spiritual—​proved that he was empowered to cleanse people from sin.​—Matthew 9:2-8.

24. (a) Why did it seem to many that Jesus was “plagued” by God? (b) Why did Jesus suffer and die?

²⁴ Yet, to many it seemed that Jesus was “plagued” by God. After all, he suffered at the instigation of respected religious leaders.