Pilate

Definition

Pilate was the governor of the Roman province of Judea who sentenced Jesus to death.

• Because Pilate was the governor, he had the authority to put criminals to death.
• The Jewish religious leaders wanted Pilate to crucify Jesus, so they lied and said that Jesus was a criminal.
• Pilate realized that Jesus was not guilty, but he was afraid of the crowd and wanted to please them, so he ordered his soldiers to crucify Jesus.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: crucify, governor, guilt, Judea, Rome)

Bible References

• Acts 4:27-28
• Acts 13:28
• Luke 23:2
• Mark 15:2
• Matthew 27:13
• Matthew 27:58

Examples from the Bible stories

• __39:9 Early the next morning, the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. They hoped that Pilate would condemn Jesus as guilty and sentenced him to be killed. Pilate__ asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
• __39:10 Pilate__ said, “What is truth?”
• __39:11 After speaking with Jesus, Pilate went out to the crowd and said, “I find no guilt in this man.” But the Jewish leaders and the crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate replied, “He is not guilty.” But they shouted even louder. Then Pilate__ said a third time, “He is not guilty!”
• __39:12 Pilate__ became afraid that the crowd would begin to riot, so he ordered his soldiers to crucify Jesus.
• __40:2 Pilate__ commanded that a sign be put above Jesus’ head that read, “King of the Jews.”
• __41:2 Pilate__ said, “Take some soldiers and make the tomb as secure as you can.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: G40910, G41940