As I was studying the Easter story I found that I kept coming back to one of the main characters in the passages, Pontius Pilate. He plays a rather large part in the story. He was the one responsible for Jesus’ fate. To understand the importance of Pontius Pilate’s actions, we must understand who Pilate was and what motivated his decisions that day.

Pilate the Governor

Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from 26-36/37 AD,  who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus.  After Jesus’ trial before Caiphas, he was sent to the headquarters of the Roman governor, where Pilate met the crowd outside.  Had the Jewish leaders gone inside they would have been defiled and not able to observe Passover. (Massey)¹

Pilate’s official title was “praefectus Iudaeae”, meaning “the prefect of Judea”.  A prefect is the leader of 500-1000 military troops.  His position made him responsible for military, financial, and judicial decisions.  He and the Jewish people had been at odds since the beginning of his reign in 26 AD in Palestine when he placed Roman Standards bearing images of the emperor in Jerusalem.  The Jewish people tried for five days to remove the images before Pilate sent soldiers into the crowds to enforce Roman law.  The Jews proclaimed that they would rather die than go against their religious laws.  The people weren’t backing down, so Pilate removed the images to avoid a revolution. (Massey) 

The Word – John 18 – 19

The passage begins on Friday morning when Jesus is brought to Pilate by the Jewish leaders accusing Jesus of opposing taxes, claiming to be a king, and causing disobedience to Jewish laws. Jesus was brought to Pilate, a Roman official because only the Romans could execute someone (John 18:31).  Pilate found Jesus innocent and sent him to Herod Antipas, the ruler in Galilee.  Jesus was ridiculed and mocked by Herod and sent back to Pilate in a purple robe, purple being the royal color.  In an attempt to please the people, and avoid another uprising, Pilate allows the people to decide who would be crucified.  The choice was between Barabbas – an insurrectionist, and murderer – and Jesus. 

The crowd chose Jesus (John 18:38-40).

Not Guilty Yet Still Died A Criminal’s Death

Pilate never once found Jesus guilty, and on numerous occasions even pointed out his innocence, to the gathered masses.  Pilate states that he wants nothing to do with Jesus’ death, and again finds him not guilty (John 19:6-7).  When Pilate is reminded by the Jewish leaders that Jesus called himself the Son of God, Pilate examines Jesus in private.  (John 19:8-11). Pilate was filled with fear upon hearing that Jesus called himself the Son of God.  (John 19:8). 

Fear drove this powerful leader to authorize the crucifixion of an innocent man to gain political capital with the people.  After numerous run-ins with the Jewish people, Pilate wasn’t very popular among those he governed.  Authorizing Jesus’ crucifixion was an attempt to appease the people and improve their opinions of him.  Pilate’s wife even sent a message to him requesting that he leave the innocent Jesus alone (Matthew 27:19).  She had been plagued with a nightmare the night before.  Pilate’s fear of losing political standing overcame his morals, and he allowed an innocent man to die by his hand.

Have you ever felt like you weren’t doing God’s will, but went along with it anyway?
Have you felt the pressures of those around you, trying to fit in instead of following God’s will?  
Today ask the Lord where you are straying from His will and surrender that area of your life to Him.

It can be difficult to stay on course, especially in parenting.  I see what the world is doing and I have to make the hard decisions based on what God is calling me to do. Counter culture. That is not necessarily the cool thing (according to society), but God’s way is the right way. 

Sometimes I stand alone in standing up for God and that’s okay because He’s standing there with me.  

– Brianna barrett

Pilate’s final offense against the Jews involved blocking passage to a Samaritan false prophet who was claiming to show Moses’ vessels in Mount Gerizim and the execution of several prominent men.  Pilate was ordered before the emperor of Rome to answer these accusations; however, Emperor Tiberius died before Pilate arrived. (Massey)

The Wife of Pilate

Pilate’s wife is mentioned in Matthew when she sends word to leave Jesus alone after her nightmare, yet she is never named in the Scriptures.  Pilate’s wife was Claudia Procula, the granddaughter of Emperor Augustus, and an actual Roman Princess.  Emperor Tiberius was her stepfather.  In Rome, it wasn’t customary for women to join their spouses on official business, and since she was there with Pilate it seems that she had a genuine love for him, despite their arranged marriage. 

Through the proceedings she was the only person who intervened on Jesus’ behalf, attempting to stop the madness by sending word to her husband (which would have been unacceptable in those times). By sending that message she demonstrated her faith. It is believed that Claudia Procula converted to Christianity after the resurrection and that she told Matthew her account, explaining why she appears in his retelling of the events.  (Griffin)²

In case you missed this week's Bible reviews - check them out here:  

Cross References: Matthew 27:1-2, 27:11-30; Mark 15:1-19, Luke 23:1-25