All rights reserved. Pilate did not want to execute Jesus. They wanted Jesus dead. 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]. 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. 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 … Pilate hurried back, but by the time he arrived, in March AD 37, the ailing Tiberius had died. Pontius Pilate has been enshrined forever in the cowards’ Hall of Shame. Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. 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). The new emperor, Gaius, did not send Pilate back to Judea and Pilate suddenly disappeared from the radar screen of history. To some, he is considered a Christian martyr, because of the way the New Testament accounts portray him as hesitant to execute Jesus. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” - John 19:10-11. Was Jesus resurrected on the same day Noah's ark rested on Mt. Reportedly, his father sent him to Rome as a hostage. Pilate knew Christ was innocent but lacked the moral fiber to face the mob with a verdict against their wishes. According to Eusebius of Caesarea ’s Ecclesiastical History , Pontius Pilate killed himself on orders from the emperor Caligula sometime after 36 CE. The actual conversations of Pilate and his wife prior to witnessing Jesus’ footsteps in their midst are unknown, but both were clearly affected by him. He is therefore bound to a great mass, and sunk into the river Tiber. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”, Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. As Roman governor of Judea and supreme judge in the province from 26-37 AD, Pilate had the sole authority to execute a criminal. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. Pontius Pilate – refers to Christ in official records, Pontius Pilate - refers to Christ in official records. Pilate was the procurator of Palestine and Phoenicia. 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. Under Jewish law, images of the Roman government were forbidden in Jerusalem, but Pilate once allowed troops to carry shields with the Roman Emperor Tiberius into the city. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. This woman’s dream caused her husband to pause. Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. The circumstances surrounding Pontius Pilate’s death in circa 39 A.D. are something of a mystery and a source of contention. In John 18:33, “Pilate went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?” A moment with the Son of God clearly tormented Pilate. References: 1. Jeremiah 9:23-24. Introduction to the Letter. This is your doing!" How did Pontius Pilate die? All Rights Reserved. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. But God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20).”. Wroe, Ann. Basically Barbara’s answer. Falvius Josephus. Pontius Pilate was the fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, Samaria, and Idumæa. 3. As Christians, we know God is purposeful in all He does. Another tradition states that Pontius Pilate was born in Germany and was a bastard son of Tyrus, king of Mayence. “In all the long hours when Jesus stood on trial, only one person spoke up for him,” Dr. Ray Pritchard wrote. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. … By other accounts, Pontius Pilate was sent into exile and committed suicide of his own accord. 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. What we know historically about Pilate would not predict his hesitation at the execution of a Jew. 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? “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. He is best known today for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and later ordered his crucifixion. First Apology 35. “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.”. John 19:33 says, “Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the kind of the Jews?’” Pilate wanted to speak to Jesus away from the insightful crowd, who should have been on Jesus’ side. (59) But they threw themselves upon the ground, and laid their necks bare, and said they would take their death very willingly, rather than the wisdom of their laws should be transgressed; upon which Pilate was deeply affected with their firm resolution to keep their laws inviolable, and presently commanded the images to be carried back from Jerusalem to Cesarea.[4]. 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. Writing around 50 A.D., he castigated the prefect for his briberies, insults, robberies, outrages and wanton injuries, executions without trial, constantly repeated, ceaseless and supremely grievous cruelty. Though these books are not on equal ground with Scripture, they can sometimes aid historical inquiry. The New Testament gospel of Luke records that Pilate had heard about Jesus and His miracles before He was brought before Pilate. And that it was predicted that our Christ should heal all diseases and raise the dead, hear what was said. 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. 1. 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 unearth artifacts buried on Mount Gerizim by Moses. He was appointed in his position by the Roman Emperor Tiberius. The Report of Pilate the Procurator Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sent to the August Caesar in Rome. Oppressive leaders like Pilate make decisions that affect the people they lead. And that these things did happen, you can ascertain from the Acts of Pontius Pilate. The profound effect of Jesus on Pilate and his wife is significant in the resurrection story. Pilate is, after all, an integral part of the story … This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die. But the Jewish leaders did care. For he was a doer of surprising feats – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. “A great crowd traveled to the Judean capital of Caesarea in protest and lay prostrate around Pilate’s palace for five days until he relented,” wrote Christopher Klein. Alexander MacLaren wrote in “The Wearied Christ,” “His impotent effort to cast off responsibly only witnessed to his consciousness of it.” Unfortunately for Pilate, any attempt to disassociate himself with the decision he made is futile. One tradition says that he was a member of the Pontii tribe and of Samnite nobility. Luke 23:8 (NASB), Pilate was apparently not threatened by Jesus since he had not taken action earlier. Many legends surround the infamous Roman governor, but sifting through them is a tall task. 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). [1] The Samnites lived in the southern region of Italy. “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. 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]. Tradition adds that Pilate died in Vienne, France on the Rhone or on Mount Pilatus, Switzerland. According to some traditions, the Roman emperor Caligula … 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. Barabbas, in the New Testament, a prisoner mentioned in all four Gospels who was chosen by the crowd, over Jesus Christ, to be released by Pontius Pilate in a customary pardon before the feast of Passover. Jesus came for all of us. 1999, p. 14. For more information about the Acts of Pilate, visit “Pontius Pilate – refers to Christ in official records.”. 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