37. What do you understand by the word “suffered”?
That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, he might set us free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
Isa 53; 1Pe 2.24; 3.18
Ro 3.25; Heb 10.14; 1Jn 2.2; 4.10
Ro 8.1-4; Gal 3.13
Jn 3.16; Ro 3.24-26
38. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge?
So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
Lk 23.13-24; Jn 19.4, 12-16
Isa 53.4-5; 2Co 5.21; Gal 3.13
39. Is it significant that he was “crucified” instead of dying some other way?
Yes. This death convinces me that he shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.
Gal 3.10-13 (Dt 21.23)
From the Heidelberg Catechism.
The Two Books 