The new emperor, Gaius, did not send Pilate back to Judea and Pilate suddenly disappeared from the radar screen of history. Justin Martyr. The wife of Pontius Pilate sends a message to him asking him not to have anything to do with Jesus, because she has had a terrible dream and suffered much because of … “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. . For he was a doer of surprising feats – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. Pilate left for Rome, but reached the city after Tiberius had died. According to the Bible, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death after He was brought to trial by the Jewish assembly of elders and priests known as the Sanhedrin. Josephus wrote, "…Pilate had condemned him [Jesus] to a cross…" That, of course, is how most of us have come to know Pontius Pilate. He was an officer of the Roman empire, serving as procurator, or prefect, of Judea, managing the financial affairs and flexing administrative powers on behalf of the emperor. Basically Barbara’s answer. The death and resurrection of Christ left a historical footprint in time and permanent freedom from sin for all those who embrace Jesus as Savior. Throughout history, Pontius Pilate has been portrayed as a weak ruler-the man who allowed Jesus Christ to be crucified at the demand of the Jews. He is therefore bound to a great mass, and sunk into the river Tiber. Pontius Pilate was the Roman official who gave the final order for the crucifixion. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. Agapius of Hierapolis (10th century historian) said Pilate committed suicide during the first year of Caligula’s reign (37-38 AD). Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it? . The Modern Library. … So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. The name of Pontius Pilate will always be mentioned, whenever the death of Jesus is talked about. He descended into hell. Pilate was the heir of the Roman family of Pontii. ‘It is your responsibility!’” - Matthew 27:24. Oppressive leaders like Pilate make decisions that affect the people they lead. His decision may have also been made to avoid a bad report to Rome. When Cæsar knew of the death of Pilate, he said: Truly he has died by a most disgraceful death, whom his own hand has not spared. Donations to this ministry are tax-deductible. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. But the Jewish leaders did care. Pontius Pilate is a key figure of the Passion of Jesus. Pontius Pilate is best known for presiding over Jesus’ trial and ordering his crucifixion. “Apocryphal books were not recognized as the word of God by their writers, Christ, nor the Apostles,” notes Christianity.com. He deliberately found ways to disrespect their traditions and beliefs, “and in times of irritation freely shed their blood,” Easton’s Bible Dictionary records. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Alessandrophoto, “When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. Thus we concluded that the length of Pontius Pilate’s rule as governor is from A.D. 26 to A.D. 37. "Pontius Pilate was a real person who lived in the first century AD and who, as the Gospels spell out, really did begrudgingly condemn Jesus to death." 9. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus records these words about Pilate, Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man. Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. Pilate’s wife does not appear by name in the Bible. What Did Jesus Do Each Day during Holy Week? She has led a Bible Study for Women and serves as a Youth Ministry leader in her community. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Did Pontius Pilate Actually Convert to Christianity? 3. Article Images Copyright ©, Pontius Pilate: His Role and Significance in the Bible, A Guide to the Entire Cast of Characters During Jesus’s Final Week, Is Easter Pagan? Pilate knew Christ was innocent but lacked the moral fiber to face the mob with a verdict against their wishes. And after He was crucified they cast lots upon His vesture, and they that crucified Him parted it among them. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. The circumstances surrounding Pontius Pilate’s death in circa 39 A.D. are something of a mystery and a source of contention. While there he was charged with murdering someone and was sent to Pontus, which is on the southeastern border of the Black Sea. But God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).”. Pilate held a small allotment of civil control over the Sanhedrin, the body of Jewish leaders who acquitted Jesus, which would explain why they came to him for the order to crucify him. [5], While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” Matthew 27:19 (NASB). Other sources say he simply retired, or his post as governor of Judea was up, and he either didn’t choose to return or was reassigned. 6. During what years was Pontius Pilate governor of Judea. But very little is known about him. God has the power to redeem any and all of our hearts. We do not know where Pontius Pilate was born. When Pilate saw that it was no use to go on, but that a riot might break out, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am not responsible for the death of this man! “Pilate knew Jesus had committed no crime worthy of death,” wrote Dr. Ray Pritchard, “But like many a politician caught between a rock and a hard place, he caved in to pressure from the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus dead.”, “While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” - Matthew 27:19. But God assures us in Genesis 50:20: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Christians needn’t feel sorry for Pilate, but we can lend compassion. 7. It appears that Pilate attempted to avoid a direct conflict with the Jewish leaders by hoping that King Herod might release Jesus (Luke 23:7-11). 28:1-6). Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . The accusation made him curious. Supposedly, his name was changed in Pontus to Pontius Pilate and he was eventually appointed the sixth governor or procurator of Judea by Sejanus, a favorite of the Roman emperor Tiberius. It was at this time Jesus was brought to him. Eusebius records the following for us, It is worthy of note that Pilate himself, who was governor in the time of our Savior, is reported to have fallen into such misfortunes under Caius, whose times we are recording, that he was forced to become his own murderer and executioner; and thus divine vengeance, as it seems, was not long in overtaking him. In regard to Pilate, and other corrupt rulers, we needn’t justify the obvious tyranny and sin in his life. The life of Pontius Pilate is difficult to accurately trace outside of his stature as a Roman ruler. Pilate’s wife was a woman of Gentile lineage, wife to a Roman leader and granddaughter to a Roman emperor. ~ Matthew 27:1-2. Fearful of his position, Pilate caved in and ordered Jesus’ death. What Did Pontius Pilate Write about Jesus? This is stated by those Greek historians who have recorded the Olympiads, together with the respective events which have taken place in each period.[11]. His death, much like his early life, is difficult to trace with reliable accuracy. However, trouble followed as indicated in Josephus’ following statement, But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an embassy to Vitellius, a man that had been consul, and who was now president of Syria, and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed . 10 Ways to Help the Family of an Unbeliever after the Funeral, Easter: All That Matters vs All I Live For - Crosswalk the Devotional - March 31, Stinky Feet - Easter Devotional - April 1, What Is Holy Week? 11. [3], But now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from Cesarea to Jerusalem, to take their winter quarters there, in order to abolish the Jewish laws. “The council wanted him to pronounce this man guilty of capital treason,” John Bloom wrote for desiringGod.com, “Pilate resented the pressure. Some regard him as a martyr, and others remember him as a brutal ruler. Reportedly, his father sent him to Rome as a hostage. Some sources indicate Pilate died in 36, committing suicide after being banished to Vienne in Gaul, accused by the governor of Syria for attacking unarmed Samaritans who were hoping to … Pilate also had the power to appoint the high priest. Flavius Josephus. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. Roman rulers were renowned for their brutality and corruption, but Pilate’s reputation superseded most. Was Jesus resurrected on the same day Noah's ark rested on Mt. So Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he dare not contradict; but before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead.[10]. “All authority comes from God’ is to be our mantra,” wrote Trevin Wax, “We are vessels of God’s authority, and how we exert the authority delegated to us ultimately reveals the kind of God we believe in.” Jesus kept His Father’s love on the throne of His heart, all the way to the cross. Getty. [12] The Eastern Orthodox church believes that Pilate and his wife eventually became Christians. Many legends surround the infamous Roman governor, but sifting through them is a tall task. Gerizim. When Pilate tried to set Jesus free, Jesus’ opponents “kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar’ ” (John 19:12). A scripture expert has … “A former slave set free … under Roman law, might become a citizen if the proper legal form was followed,” Britannica defines, “although he did not enjoy full civic rights.”. Another legend places his death at Mount Pilatus, in Switzerland. Copyright © Like The Master Ministries. Wroe, Ann. However, we can choose to leave it in God’s hands. . Without his protector in power, Pilate made a major error and suppressed a small uprising in Samaria. Pilate’s wife had a profound dream that led her to conclude Jesus as a “just man.” She was no stranger to the Jewish Scriptures. The leader of the Samaritan group had promised that “He would show them those sacred vessels which were laid under that place, because Moses put them there.”[9] But Pilate sent his troops and defeated them before they arrived at Mt. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. Brittanica.com, “Freedman,” “Pontius Pilate,” “Prefect”, Christianity.com, “What Is the Apocrypha?”, DesiringGod.org, “Why Was Jesus Unintimidated by Pilate?” and “The Faithful Will Look Foolish – For Now”, EastonsBibleDictionary.org, “Pilate, Pontius”, History.com, “Why Pontius Pilate Executed Jesus”, TheGospelCoalition.org, “A Guide to the Entire Cast of Characters During Jesus’s Final Week” and “Pilate, Jesus, and True Authority”. According to Eusebius of Caesarea ’s Ecclesiastical History , Pontius Pilate killed himself on orders from the emperor Caligula sometime after 36 CE. All rights reserved. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. Pilate did not want to execute Jesus. Pilate was sent to Judea routinely to keep the peace during Passover. Britannica 2005. Neither Pilate nor his wife were of Jewish heritage, yet here they are playing a part in the greatest story of all time. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. Pontius Pilate. This is your doing!" In those days, our Lord Jesus Christ having been crucified under Pontius Pilate. Eusebius reported that Pontius Pilate committed suicide during the reign of Caius or Emperor Caligula. Pontius Pilate has been enshrined forever in the cowards’ Hall of Shame. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Artifacts with his image and name place him unquestionably in history, and the Bible records his presence at the scene of Jesus’ trial to be crucified. Tradition states that her name was Claudia Procula. According to the gospels, he actually believed that Jesus was innocent, and wanted to save him, but was pressured into ordering his death by the Jewish religious leaders and a disorderly crowd of spectators. 1999, p. 14. Luke 13:1 speaks of how brutal Pilate could be, sprinkling the blood of Galileans over their sacrifices. GOD'S WORD® Translation Pilate saw that he was not … 1887, p. 199. The phrase, “Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate” confirms his presence in that historical moment. There are many other stories about Pilate, but none can be corroborated. 1887, p. 201. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. Scripture clearly states we are each responsible for our own choices and will suffer the consequences for our sin as God rightly judges. The political climate between the Jews and Pilate was a toxic, mutual feeling of disdain. There are these words: “At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking: the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed; and the dead shall rise, and walk about.” And that He did those things, you can learn from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. Pilate, hearing this, killed himself with his own knife, and by such a death ended his life. Pontius Pilate was the fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, Samaria, and Idumæa. His patience strained at the seams.”, Hearing Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas, who sent him back to Pilate donning a purple robe in mockery. Very little, except that she was high-born, Roman, well-educated and wealthy – and the wife of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, at the time of Jesus’ death.. On the morning of the trial of Jesus, she sent an urgent message to her husband: ‘I had a troubling dream. 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