Pilate Πιλᾶτος

Male G4091 6 books

Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial

Biography

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea during the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion (Luk.3.1). He is most known for his role in the trial and execution of Jesus, as recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19).

When Jesus was brought before Pilate by the Jewish leaders, who accused him of claiming to be the king of the Jews, Pilate questioned Jesus and found no fault in him (Jhn.18.29-38). However, faced with the insistence of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate ultimately gave in to their demands and ordered Jesus to be crucified (Mat.27.24; Mrk.15.15; Luk.23.24; Jhn.19.16).

Pilate is portrayed as a reluctant participant in Jesus' death, attempting to release him but ultimately succumbing to political pressure (Jhn.19.12). He is also depicted as a somewhat cynical and world-weary figure, as seen in his famous question to Jesus, "What is truth?" (Jhn.18.38).

Pilate's involvement in Jesus' crucifixion is also mentioned in the Book of Acts, where the early Christian leaders affirm that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Act.3.13; 4.27; 13.28). In 1Ti.6.13, Paul refers to Jesus' good confession before Pontius Pilate.

In Scripture

6 biblical books ; 6 with study content
Matthew 5 verses
  • Matthew 27:2

    "and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor."

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  • Matthew 27:13

    "Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”"

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  • Matthew 27:17

    "When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”"

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  • Matthew 27:22

    "Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”"

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  • Matthew 27:24

    "So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”"

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Mark 5 verses
  • Mark 15:1

    "Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate."

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  • Mark 15:2

    "Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”"

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  • Mark 15:4

    "Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”"

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  • Mark 15:5

    "But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled."

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  • Mark 15:12

    "Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”"

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Luke 5 verses
  • Luke 3:1

    "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,"

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  • Luke 13:1

    "Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices."

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  • Luke 23:1

    "The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate."

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  • Luke 23:3

    "Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “So you say.”"

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  • Luke 23:4

    "Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”"

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John 5 verses
  • John 18:29

    "Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”"

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  • John 18:31

    "Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is illegal for us to put anyone to death,”"

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  • John 18:33

    "Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”"

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  • John 18:35

    "Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”"

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  • John 18:37

    "Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”"

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Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Strong's
Named Greek Πιλᾶτος G4091
(same form as previous) Greek Πιλᾶτος G4091
Named Greek Πόντιος G4194