1. Terminology. In the expression “the passion of Christ”, the passion means not only the sufferings which preceded the death of Jesus but above all his death itself. This usage is scriptural, insofar as the death of Jesus is often indicated as his πάσχειν (Lk, Acts, Heb, 1 Pet) in the NT. The usage probably goes back to Jesus himself (Michaelis, p. 912). Since Ignatius of Antioch the substantive πάθος has been used as a fixed expression for Jesus’ death. The corresponding meaning was given in early Christian Latin to the words pati and passio.

2. The passion in the early Church. The death of J…