Did Jesus Himself experience suffering?
Yes, He did. Jesus suffered being tempted. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) Read the temptation story in Matthew 4:1-11.
He also suffered and died for our sins as shown in these verses:
- He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day (Luke 24:46, NIV)
- Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:26, NIV)
- For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18, NIV)
- In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:10, NIV)