Pontius Pilate
The Roman governor of Judea who sentenced Jesus to be crucified after repeatedly finding no basis for the charges against him.
At a glance
- Name
- Pontius Pilate
- Also known as
- Pilate
- Type
- Person
- Period
- New Testament
- Appears in
- The Gospels and the book of Acts
- First appearance
- Matthew 27
- Known for
- The governor who sentenced Jesus to be crucified
Who is Pontius Pilate?
Pontius Pilate is the Roman governor of Judea who presides over the trial of Jesus. When the Jewish council brings Jesus to him accusing him of claiming to be a king, Pilate questions him and repeatedly states that he finds no basis for a charge against him.
Under pressure from the crowd, who demand crucifixion and the release of a prisoner named Barabbas, Pilate gives in. In Matthew's account he washes his hands before the crowd, declaring himself innocent of Jesus's blood, and hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Pilate has a notice fixed to the cross naming Jesus king of the Jews, and later grants Joseph of Arimathea permission to take the body for burial. He is remembered in the New Testament as the governor under whom Jesus suffered.
Pontius Pilate in the Bible
Jesus before Pilate
The council brings Jesus to Pilate, who questions him and finds no basis for a charge.
Read Luke 23 →Barabbas and the sentence
Pressed by the crowd, Pilate releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Read Matthew 27 →People connected with Pontius Pilate
- sends Jesus to Herod the tetrarch During the trial Pilate sends Jesus to Herod the tetrarch, and the two become friends that day.
Key passages featuring Pontius Pilate
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.