Why It Matters: “Suffered Under Pontius Pilate”

Why It Matters: “Suffered Under Pontius Pilate”

In the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.” Most of us understand the importance of Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial. But why does the Creed include Pontius Pilate by name? Why not simply say, “Jesus suffered and died”?

The answer points to something foundational: the Christian faith is rooted not in myth, but in history. The phrase “suffered under Pontius Pilate” grounds Jesus’ life and death in a real moment, under a real ruler, in real time.

A Political Trial with Eternal Consequences
Scripture tells us that Jesus was arrested by the religious council and brought before Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. The Jewish authorities lacked the power to execute anyone, so they appealed to Roman law, accusing Jesus of sedition—claiming to be a king in a land where Caesar was the only recognized authority.
In Matthew 27:24–26, we read how Pilate, knowing Jesus was innocent, tried to distance himself from the verdict by washing his hands in front of the crowd. Still, he caved to public pressure, releasing Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to death.
This detail matters. It shows that Jesus was not just the victim of religious hostility, but also of political expediency. Pilate didn’t believe Jesus was guilty, but he allowed the crucifixion to maintain order. Jesus suffered under a Roman ruler—highlighting the intersection of heaven’s plan and earth’s brokenness.

The Reality of Suffering
The scourging Jesus endured was not symbolic—it was horrifying. A Roman flogging tore flesh with every lash of a whip embedded with stone and metal. It was torture, and it could be fatal on its own.
Many Christians have heard sermons describing the physical agony of the crucifixion. But even more devastating than the physical suffering was the spiritual burden Jesus bore—the weight of the world’s sin and separation from God.

This Is Not a Myth
The mention of Pontius Pilate is a reminder: Jesus’ suffering and death are historical facts. This was not legend, nor was it fabricated after the fact. Jesus lived, died, and rose again within history. Historians like Tacitus (a Roman) and Josephus(a Jewish non-Christian) affirm

Pilate’s governorship and Jesus’ crucifixion.
Christianity is unique among world religions in how much of its core is supported by historical and archaeological evidence. From the discovery of Hezekiah’s tunnel to inscriptions referencing King David, the Bible's historical accuracy continues to be verified over time.

Unlike the unverifiable stories surrounding the origins of some religions—such as Joseph Smith’s hidden golden tablets in Mormonism—Christianity invites scrutiny. The gospel authors wrote within decades of the events. Eyewitnesses were still alive to confirm or deny what happened.

Why the Cross Is a Paradox
Jesus’ death by crucifixion would have seemed like utter failure by the world’s standards. Crucifixion was a punishment so shameful that the Jews considered it a curse from God. And yet, Christians don’t shy away from it—we embrace it.
The cross became a symbol not of defeat, but of victory. Why? Because the resurrection changed everything.

The moment Jesus died, the earth shook, tombs opened, and the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Even the Roman centurion declared, “Surely this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). These weren’t spiritual metaphors. They were public, physical events witnessed by many.

A Faith Based in Fact and Power
The resurrection of Jesus is not a poetic idea—it is the foundation of our hope. Without the resurrection, the crucifixion is a tragedy. But with the resurrection, it's the greatest victory in history.

The apostles were so convinced of this truth that they gave their lives to share it. They had nothing to gain—not fame, wealth, or safety—only hardship and death. Yet they proclaimed the risen Christ to the end, because they knew He was alive.
The True Suffering—and the Great Exchange
Jesus didn’t just suffer physically. He bore the full weight of sin and separation from God. He experienced hell—life without God—so we wouldn’t have to. That’s the heart of the gospel.

As Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But Jesus, the sinless one, died in our place. He was the perfect substitute, bearing the wrath we deserved.
So when we declare, “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,” we are affirming that Jesus entered human history to rescue us from sin and death.

Baptism: A Picture of the Resurrection
Baptism is a public profession of this truth. When we go under the water, we identify with Jesus’ death. When we rise from the water, we declare that just as He rose, so will we. Baptism doesn’t save us—faith in Jesus does—but it powerfully symbolizes that we are “all in” with Christ.

As Romans 10:9 puts it:
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
That is our hope. That is our mission. That is why we gather, serve, and make disciples. Because Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried—but death was not the end.

And next week, we’ll talk about the resurrection.