NT Characters: Pontius Pilate

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/pilate/">website</a>.</p><p><strong>The man</strong></p><ul><li>A Roman, quite possibly Italian.</li><li>Governor / prefect of Judea 26-36 AD.</li><li>We can build a composite picture from the N.T., several extrabiblical references, and even archaeology:<ul><li>Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 3,13, 23; Acts 3, 4. 13; John 18, 19; [1 Tim 6].</li><li>The writings of Philo (<i>Embassy to Gaius</i>), Josephus (<i>Jewish War </i>and <i>History of the Jews</i>), and Tacitus (<i>Annals</i>).</li><li>Pilate stone, found in Caesarea Maritima in 1961. Dedication stone to the emperor Tiberius (r. 14-37 AD) had been recycled as part of the Roman theater. Judea was governed by a <i>prefect; </i>this was changed to <i>procurator </i>starting 44 AD. The Bible uses the correct terms-- a testament to its authenticity.</li></ul></li><li>Matthew 27:11-14,18,19,23-24,26; John 18:28-38; John 19:18-22.</li></ul><p><strong>Political history</strong></p><ul><li>Protege of Sejanus, head of the Praetorian Guard.</li><li>Member of the Equestrian class.</li><li>Tasked with keeping the peace; collecting taxes; governing the distant Syria (including Judea).</li><li>Insensitive actions<ul><li>Soldiers carried Roman standards (idolatrous images) into Jerusalem -- protests.</li><li>Temple money spent on aqueduct: soldiers in crowd at Pilate's signal turned on them beating killing.</li><li>Shields brought into Jerusalem (near Temple), with inscriptions claiming divinity for the emperor Tiberius.</li><li>Samaritans planning to go up Mt. Gerizim to see alleged Mosaic items -- massacred en route.</li></ul></li><li>Recalled to Rome, but by the time he'd arrived the emperor had died (37 AD).</li><li>Luke 13:1 fits well with what is known about Pilate from the extrabiblical sources.</li><li>Late legend that the emperor Caligula (37-41 AD) ordered him to commit suicide.</li></ul><p><strong>Character</strong></p><ul><li>A politician (but not in the sense of wooing v