Pontius Pilate judging Jesus Christ
By: Anthony Lombardi
Date: January 9, 2020
Updated: August 27, 2020
Name: Marcus Pontius Pilate
Duration of life: Unknown-after 36 CE
Birth and Early Life
Name: Marcus Pontius Pilate
Duration of life: Unknown-after 36 CE
Nationality: Roman Citizen
Trade: Roman Equestrian (knight), Procurator of Judea, 26-36 CE
Achievements/reputation: Presided the trial of Jesus Christ
Birth and Early Life
Pontius Pilate came from an important Roman family known as the Pontii and was of the equestrian social rank. Nothing is known about his early life, but he must have been raised in a wealthy background, with a good education. Unlike popular views of him, Pilate may have not had a military background, but more of a financial or administrative one, as according to Nigel Rodgers, most equestrians no longer served in the army by the 1st Century CE and were more involved in the finance sector. Several were chosen as procurators, which corresponds to Pilate's situation.
Life
Pilate was appointed by the Emperor Tiberius' Chief Minister Sejanus as the fifth procurator of Judea (part of modern-day Israel) in 26 CE. Pilate came to a land of moderate peace, where the Jews were trying to continue practicing their monotheistic religion despite the polytheism of their rulers. This was the land of origin of a huge community that was spread across the empire, as seen in the Bible.
The Romans there, mostly soldiers and administrators, would have been generally unconcerned in matters of religion.
It seemed like Pilate had a unique goal in mind when he came to Judea, which could be matched with the possible anti-Semitism of his boss Sejanus, as said by Joan E. Taylor.
Whatever happened, his relationship with the Jews wound up being mediocre. Some of the archeological artifacts found connected with him give clues to the promotion of Roman polytheism and patriotism on his part, something the Jews held harsh sentiments against. He ruled from the city of Caesarea.
The event which he is most known for is the judgment of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, as recounted in the Bible. Captured by the Jewish religious authorities largely on account of jealousy, along with accusations of rebellion, Christ was brought to Pilate to be sentenced to death. Because he found no wrong in the accused, "Pilate tried every legal maneuver he could think of to have the case dismissed. He tried to restate the charges; he twice declared Jesus innocent; he proposed a less severe alternate sentencing [...]; he announced there was not enough evidence..." (Blosser et al. 99) as well as sending Jesus to King Herod Antipas of Galilee and proposing the release of Barabas, a prisoner. But in the end, he gave in to the Jewish leaders' urgings. He was the source of the sign on the cross of Jesus, giving the authorization to Joseph of Arimathea for the burial of Christ's body and for the consent of the guard of Christ's tomb, all recounted in the Bible.
Besides this, Pilate's term was described as one full of "...briberies,...insults,...robberies,...injuries,...executions without trial constantly repeated, the ceaseless and supreme grievous cruelty" by the Jewish writer and philosopher Philo of Alexandria (Jarus). The event that would have gotten him into the most trouble was the massacre of Samaritans on Mount Gerizim in 36, who were merely looking for ancient artifacts according to the Jewish writer Josephus. Following that incident, the Samaritans began filing complaints against Pilate.
Death
In terms of the crucifixion, they have said the same thing. The traditional Judeo-Christian interpretation, according to Warren Carter, is that Pilate was a weak and incompetent administrator, dumb enough to not understand what Jesus answers him and moved by the crowd. It is supported by Don Blosser and his team who suggest that Pilate presented himself as cautious to avoid the fate of his boss Sejanus, who was killed under orders of Tiberius sometime around the crucifixion. Rather, Carter suggests that the resistance from Pilate was a show of power. The Gospel of Matthew mentions that Pilate's wife had tried to get him off the case (27:19) which he seemed to ignore. The archeology found in relation to him, such as the road he had built, demonstrates that despite his carelessness of the Jews, he was a pretty able governor.
Despite this, it is obvious that Pontius Pilate has become the most notorious Roman provincial governor of all time.
Sources
Pilate was appointed by the Emperor Tiberius' Chief Minister Sejanus as the fifth procurator of Judea (part of modern-day Israel) in 26 CE. Pilate came to a land of moderate peace, where the Jews were trying to continue practicing their monotheistic religion despite the polytheism of their rulers. This was the land of origin of a huge community that was spread across the empire, as seen in the Bible.
The Romans there, mostly soldiers and administrators, would have been generally unconcerned in matters of religion.
It seemed like Pilate had a unique goal in mind when he came to Judea, which could be matched with the possible anti-Semitism of his boss Sejanus, as said by Joan E. Taylor.
Whatever happened, his relationship with the Jews wound up being mediocre. Some of the archeological artifacts found connected with him give clues to the promotion of Roman polytheism and patriotism on his part, something the Jews held harsh sentiments against. He ruled from the city of Caesarea.
The event which he is most known for is the judgment of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, as recounted in the Bible. Captured by the Jewish religious authorities largely on account of jealousy, along with accusations of rebellion, Christ was brought to Pilate to be sentenced to death. Because he found no wrong in the accused, "Pilate tried every legal maneuver he could think of to have the case dismissed. He tried to restate the charges; he twice declared Jesus innocent; he proposed a less severe alternate sentencing [...]; he announced there was not enough evidence..." (Blosser et al. 99) as well as sending Jesus to King Herod Antipas of Galilee and proposing the release of Barabas, a prisoner. But in the end, he gave in to the Jewish leaders' urgings. He was the source of the sign on the cross of Jesus, giving the authorization to Joseph of Arimathea for the burial of Christ's body and for the consent of the guard of Christ's tomb, all recounted in the Bible.
Besides this, Pilate's term was described as one full of "...briberies,...insults,...robberies,...injuries,...executions without trial constantly repeated, the ceaseless and supreme grievous cruelty" by the Jewish writer and philosopher Philo of Alexandria (Jarus). The event that would have gotten him into the most trouble was the massacre of Samaritans on Mount Gerizim in 36, who were merely looking for ancient artifacts according to the Jewish writer Josephus. Following that incident, the Samaritans began filing complaints against Pilate.
Death
Coincidentally, some Jews in Rome, including King Herod Agrippa, began reporting about the procurator to Emperor Caligula. By the year 37, Pilate had gotten called back to Rome to stand on trial for "cruelty and oppression" (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica). The results of the trial, if there was any, would have probably meant the end for Pilate, who committed suicide under orders of the tyrant Caligula.
Legacy
The story of Jesus Christ is incomplete without the part played by Pilate. Without his judgment, or if he would have managed to free Christ, one of the main backbone events of Western culture, history, and religion, that is the death (and resurrection) of Jesus would have been possibly prevented.
His name is present in Christian affirmations of faith, such as the Nicene Creed. In other words, the fact that Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate is a fundamental Christian belief. This has been held for a very long time, and legends have been seen apart from the Bible on how some believed the story went, such as that found in an ancient Egyptian Christian text mentioned by Owen Jarus for Live Science.
Popular depictions of Christ's life and death usually include Pilate in them. Whether he is a main or minor character depends on the director. Some examples are The Robe (1953), Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and The Miracle Maker (2000).
His name is present in Christian affirmations of faith, such as the Nicene Creed. In other words, the fact that Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate is a fundamental Christian belief. This has been held for a very long time, and legends have been seen apart from the Bible on how some believed the story went, such as that found in an ancient Egyptian Christian text mentioned by Owen Jarus for Live Science.
Popular depictions of Christ's life and death usually include Pilate in them. Whether he is a main or minor character depends on the director. Some examples are The Robe (1953), Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and The Miracle Maker (2000).
Pilate's real behavior with regard to the Jews has been examined. Some have questioned the credibility of the Bible and other sources mentioning Pilate as justifying the Jewish opinion on the Roman conquerors in general.
In terms of the crucifixion, they have said the same thing. The traditional Judeo-Christian interpretation, according to Warren Carter, is that Pilate was a weak and incompetent administrator, dumb enough to not understand what Jesus answers him and moved by the crowd. It is supported by Don Blosser and his team who suggest that Pilate presented himself as cautious to avoid the fate of his boss Sejanus, who was killed under orders of Tiberius sometime around the crucifixion. Rather, Carter suggests that the resistance from Pilate was a show of power. The Gospel of Matthew mentions that Pilate's wife had tried to get him off the case (27:19) which he seemed to ignore. The archeology found in relation to him, such as the road he had built, demonstrates that despite his carelessness of the Jews, he was a pretty able governor.
Despite this, it is obvious that Pontius Pilate has become the most notorious Roman provincial governor of all time.
Sources
Books:
Blosser, Don, et al. Jesus: His Life and Times. Publications International, Ltd, Lincolnwood, 1998.
Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version, Bible Society Resources Lmt, 2012.
Rodgers, Nigel. Ancient Rome. 2006, Annes Publishing Lmt, Wingston, 2011.
Web
Carter, Warren. "Pontius Pilate." Bible Odyssey, https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/people/main-articles/pontius-pilate . Accessed January 9, 2020.
Jarus, Owen. "Archeologists identify 'lost' Jerusalem street built by Pontius Pilate-the man who condemned Jesus to death." Live Science, October 21, 2019, https://www.livescience.com/pontius-pilate-street-jerusalem-found.html . Accessed January 6, 2020.
--. "Shape-shifting Jesus described in Ancient Egyptian text." Live Science, March 12, 2013, https://www.livescience.com/27840-shape-shifting-jesus-ancient-text.html . Accessed January 6, 2020.
--."Who was Pontius Pilate?" Live Science, March 25, 2019, https://www.livescience.com/65064-pontius-pilate.html . Accessed January 6, 2020.
TAYLOR, JOAN E. "Pontius Pilate and the Imperial Cult in Roman Judaea." New Testament Studies, vol. 52, no. 4, 2006, pp. 555-582. ProQuest, https://proquest-crc.proxy.ccsr.qc.ca/docview/197140730?accountid=44391. Accessed January 6, 2020.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Pontius Pilate." Encyclopaedia Britannica, November 6, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pontius-Pilate . Accessed January 6, 2020.
Picture:
Christ before Pontius Pilate, mosaic. Photograph. Britannica ImageQuest, Encyclopædia Britannica, 25 May 2016.
quest.eb.com/search/126_139433/1/126_139433/cite. Accessed 14 May 2019.
quest.eb.com/search/126_139433/1/126_139433/cite. Accessed 14 May 2019.
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