Pontius Pilate
Gentile Roman; governor of Judaea · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Pilate
- Role
- Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to be crucified
- When
- governor c. AD 26-36
What they did
He examined Jesus and found no fault in him, yet, pressed by the crowd, released Barabbas, washed his hands before the people and delivered Jesus to be crucified, writing over the cross 'Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews'.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His name is fixed in history as the ruler under whom Christ suffered; his verdict of 'no fault' witnesses to Jesus' innocence as the spotless sacrifice.
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4 (KJV)
Bible references
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Luke 3:1 (KJV)
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matthew 27:19 (KJV)
Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4 (KJV)
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Matthew 27:24-26 (KJV)
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. John 18:37-38 (KJV)
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 1 Timothy 6:13 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- His wife (unnamed) warned him because of a dream (Matthew 27:19)