Why did Jesus suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as his judge?

• What does the Bible say about the innocent Jesus being condemned by an earthly judge?
• What does the Bible say about Jesus freeing us from the judgement of God?

Lord’s Day 15: Q & A 38

Q. Why did [Jesus] suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?

A. So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

Heidelberg Catechism

What does the Bible say about the innocent Jesus being condemned by an earthly judge?

Why did Jesus suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?

So that Jesus, though innocent, might be condemned by an earthly judge,

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them,

“You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people.

And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.

Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us.

Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.

I will therefore punish and release him.”

But they all cried out together,

“Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.

Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”

A third time he said to them,

“Why?

What evil has he done?

I have found in him no guilt deserving death.

I will therefore punish and release him.”

But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified.

And their voices prevailed.

So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.

(Luke 23:13–24, ESV)

Pilate went out again and said to them,

“See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”

(John 19:4, ESV)

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out,

“If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend.

Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.

Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover.

It was about the sixth hour.

He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”

So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus,

(John 19:12–16, ESV)

What does the Bible say about Jesus freeing us from the judgment of God?

and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

(Isaiah 53:4–5, ESV)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written,

“Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

(Galatians 3:13, ESV)