Heidelberg Catechism, Week 15

Lord’s Day 15

37. What do you understand by the word “suffered?”

That all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end of His life, He bore, in body and soul, the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race;¹ in order that by His suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice,² He might redeem our body and soul from everlasting damnation,³ and obtain for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.⁴

¹ Isa 53; 1 Tim 2:6; 1 Pt 2:2-4, 24, 3:18; ² Ps 22:14-16; Mt 26:38; Rom 3:25-26, 5:6; 1 Cor 5:7; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:14; 1 Jn 2:2, 4:10; ³ Rm 8:1-4; Gal 3:13; Col 1:13; Heb 9:12; 1Pt 1:18-19; ⁴ Jn 3:16; Rom 3:24-26; 2Cor 5:21; Heb 9:11

38. Why did He suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?

That He, being innocent, might be condemned by the temporal judge,¹ and thereby deliver us from the severe judgment of God, to which we were exposed.²

¹ Lk 23:13-24; Jn 19:4, 12-16; Acts 4:27-28; ² Ps 69:4; Isa 53:4-5; Mt 27:24; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13

39. Is there anything more in His having been “crucified” than if He had suffered some other death?

Yes, for thereby I am assured that He took upon Himself the curse which lay upon me,¹ because the death of the cross was accursed of God.²

¹ Gal 3:13-14; ² Deut 21:22-23; Php 2:8