Question 37

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Section 1: Introduction

For what cause should he suffer under Pilate, as being his Judg?

That he being innocent^a and condemned before a civil Judg^b might deliver us from the severe Judgment of God which remained for all men.

For what cause should he suffer under Pilate, as being his Judge?

That he being innocent^a and condemned before a civil Judge^b might deliver us from the severe Judgment of God which remained for all men.

a. Luke 23:14; John 19:4
Luke 23:14
^23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
^23:14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.
John 19:4
^19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
^19:4 Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him."
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
b. Psalm 69:4; Isaiah 53:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13
Psalm 69:4
^69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.
^69:4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me-my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
Isaiah 53:4–5
^53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ^53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
^53:4 Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. ^53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21
^5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
^5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 3:13
^3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
^3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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Changes from Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38

Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38

~~Why did~~ For what cause should he suffer under ~~Pontius~~ Pilate, as being his ~~judge?~~Judg?

That he being innocent and ~~yet~~ condemned by before a ~~temporal~~ civil Judg might ~~thereby free~~ deliver us from the severe Judgment of God to which ~~we were exposed.~~remained for all men.

Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38

Why did he suffer under Pontius Pilate, as his judge?

That he, being innocent, and yet condemned by a temporal judge, might thereby free us from the severe judgment of God to which we were exposed.

An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 37

For what cause should he suffer under Pilate, as being his Judg?

That he being innocent and condemned before a civil Judg might deliver us from the severe Judgment of God which remained for all men.

Related (1)

Apostles’ Creed, which this question expounds

Clause 4

Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell;

Commentaries (5)

Caspar Olevianus, 1581, An Exposition of the Symbole of the Apostles (6 parts)
On Apostles’ Creed, Clause 4, which this question expounds
That the kingdome of Christ is offered vnto vs in the Articles of our faith; and that the faithfull are partakers of it, whilest they liue here It is certaine, that there are two…
Caspar Olevianus’s text
Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38, which this question adapts
For what cause should hee suffer vnder Pilate as being his iudge? That he being innocent and condemned before a ciuil iudge might deliuer vs frō the seuere iudgement of God,…
Zacharias Ursinus’s text
Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38, which this question adapts
What reason was there, why he suffered vnder Iudge Pilate? That he an Innocent, being condemned before a ciuill Iudge, might set vs free from the straight iudgment of God, which…
Jeremias Bastingius’s text
William Perkins, 1595, An Exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles
On Apostles’ Creed, Clause 4, which this question expounds
Thus much of the incarnation of Christ: Now followeth the third and last point which is to be considered in the description of Christ, namely the estate of Christ after his birth,…
William Perkins’s text
Zacharias Ursinus, 1851, The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism
On Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 38, which this question adapts
Mention is made of Pilate in the passion of Christ: 1. Because Christ obtained from this judge the testimony of his innocence. 2. That we might know that he, though declared…
Zacharias Ursinus’s text