1. Romans 15:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Paul underline the reference to Christ with a quote from the Old Testament?

Romans 15:3 (ESV)

3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

When a text from the Old Testament is quoted, it wants to remind you of the whole passage from which the text comes. The passage is Psalm 69:1–36, which speaks impressively about Jesus' suffering for us and His work for us. He was not selfish.

Psalm 69 is quoted often in the New Testament. Psalm 69:5 is quoted in John 15:22–25; Psalm 69:10 is quoted in John 2:17 en here in Romans 15:3; Psalm 69:22 is quoted in Matthew 27:34, Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:23; John 19:28–29.