Suffered Under Pontius Pilate, Was Crucified, Died, and Was Buried

September 26, 2025

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

Isaiah 53:4–6

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

John 19:16–30 

“…So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out… There they crucified him… Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

The next words of the Apostles' Creed are simple and direct: “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.” In just a few short lines, we are confronted with "the darkest yet most hopeful moment in human history."

Did you notice the deliberate mention of Pontius Pilate? Why name him? The Creed grounds the death of Jesus in history, showing that the crucifixion is neither myth nor legend. It occurred at a specific moment in time under a Roman governor whose name is documented in historical records.. Our faith is not built on vague spiritual ideals, but on concrete events.

This line of the Creed also draws attention to the depth of Jesus' suffering. Jesus endured unimaginable pain, he was mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross, the most brutal and humiliating death Rome could think up. There he stood, Jesus, the Son of God, fully embracing human suffering and enduring the very worst of it.

Isaiah 53 reminds us that His suffering had a purpose. “He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.” On the cross, Jesus took on the weight of our sins. Where we deserved judgment, He took our place. Where we carried guilt, He bore it to death. His suffering wasn’t just an act of love; it was the way we were saved, recued.

The Creed says that the burial is important too. Jesus didn’t just seem to die; as some suggest, no, He truly died, and His body was placed in a tomb. He entered fully into the reality of death. By doing this He conquered death, "from the inside out." So that we could live a victorious life too.

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for entering into our suffering and for conquering death on our behalf. Teach us never to take Your sacrifice lightly. When we face trials, remind us that You understand. When we are tempted to despair, lift our eyes to Your finished work. May we live each day in gratitude for the cross and in hope of the resurrection. Amen.