Biblical Answer

The Anger of Jesus

In the biblical account of Jesus' life, we find that Jesus did indeed experience anger on several occasions. In Mark 3:5, Jesus is described as being angry and grieved with the people of his hometown who refused to accept him as their Messiah. He also severely rebuked his own disciples in Mark 8:33 when they failed to understand the significance of the bread that he had just multiplied. These instances demonstrate that Jesus, as a human being, was capable of feeling strong emotions, including anger.

The Nature of God's Anger

It's essential to understand that God's anger is not the same as human anger. In the Bible, God is never described as being angry (as a verb of action), but the noun wrath (orge) expresses his steadfast opposition to all that is sinful. God's anger is a response to sin and rebellion against him. It's a manifestation of his holiness and justice. In contrast, human anger is often driven by selfish desires, pride, and a lack of understanding. Jesus' anger, as seen in the biblical accounts, was not driven by a desire for revenge or personal satisfaction but was rather a response to the hardness of people's hearts and their refusal to accept him.

The Significance of Jesus' Anger

Jesus' anger, as recorded in the Bible, serves as a reminder that he is a God who is deeply concerned with the spiritual well-being of humanity. His anger is a reflection of his love and desire for people to turn away from sin and towards him. As we see in the story of Jonah, God's question, "Have you any right to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4), highlights the importance of humility and recognizing our place before God. Jesus' anger, therefore, is not something to be emulated or copied, but rather it serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin and the need for repentance and faith in him. Ultimately, Jesus' anger points us to the cross, where he bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin, and offers us forgiveness and salvation.