Pontius Pilate: A Complex Man, to Say the Least

Who Was Pontius Pilate?

Mattia Preti, “Pilate Washing His Hands,” 1663, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Brutal tyrant or reluctant judge? Pilate’s encounter with Christ exposes the cost of power, fear, and placating the crowd.

Pontius Pilate: A Complex Man, to Say the Least

Today, Christendom observes Good Friday, when our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and was put to death on the Cross under Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea (26–36 AD). As a Roman governor, Pilate had the power of a supreme judge, which meant that he had the sole authority to order a criminal’s execution. Among his duties were to make sure that taxes of the conquered territories were collected, to oversee construction projects, and…

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who passed into history for authorizing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during Holy Week, had an outcome that is wrapped in mystery and legend.After the events in Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate's career as governor of Judea came to an end, under accusations of excessive brutality that reached Rome's ears.The Gospels offer scant details about Pontius Pilate's post-crucifixion destiny, but other sources present a grim…

The Roman prefect who washed his hands after condemning Jesus to crucified death was able to spend his last days in Cartama (Málaga), a city to which he withdrew after falling into disgrace before Emperor Tiberius. This is affirmed by an almost forgotten legend of this Malaga people based on another story [...]