Jesus Christ was made to be sin for humanity even though He knew no sin. This occurred so that believers might become the righteousness of God in Him. The Greek word rendered sin in this statement refers to sin itself rather than a sin offering. In becoming sin Christ was identified with sin and became its representation. The Father therefore dealt with Him as sin must be dealt with. Christ experienced the full effects of sin including separation from God and being forsaken. The same principle appears when Christ is described as having become a curse for humanity after being hanged on a tree. Thorns placed on His head symbolized the curse that entered the world through sin. Darkness covered the land while He bore the iniquities of all and while God withdrew because of transcendent purity. The Messiah thus took the sins and their penalties in full.