Pontius Pilate (Luke 3:1; Luke 13:1; Matthew 27:11–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–25; John 18:28–40; John 19:1–16; Mark 15:42–45; Matthew 27:62–66; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:24–28)

The governor of Judæa before whom the chief priests brought Jesus; he said again and again that he found no fault in him, sought to release him, and in the end scourged him and delivered him to be crucified.

Luke 3:1 dates John's ministry by “Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa” (Luke 3:1). Some told Jesus “of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1).

When the chief priests and elders delivered Jesus to him, Pilate asked, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” (Matthew 27:11), and Jesus answered, “Thou sayest” (Matthew 27:11). Pilate said, “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4). In the Gospel of John, “I find no crime in him” (John 18:38), and, a second time, “I find no crime in him” (John 19:4). Mark 15:10 says that “he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up” (Mark 15:10), and Luke 23:20 that he spoke “desiring to release Jesus” (Luke 23:20).

Yet “Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified” (Mark 15:15). In the Gospel of Matthew he washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it” (Matthew 27:24). Acts 4:27 names “both Herod and Pontius Pilate” (Acts 4:27) among those gathered against Jesus, and Acts 3:13 says he “had determined to release him” (Acts 3:13).

Strengths

• Found no fault in Jesus
• Sought to release him

Weaknesses

• Yielding to the crowd
• Afraid

Themes

• The King of the Jews
• Innocence declared
• Barabbas
• Washing of hands
• The sealed tomb

Jesus stands before Pilate (Mark 15:1–5; Matthew 27:11–14; John 18:28–38)

The chief priests bring Jesus to Pilate, who asks if he is the King of the Jews; Jesus says little, and Pilate marvels.

Jesus stands before Pilate

“Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest” (Matthew 27:11). “And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), and said, “To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37). “Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find no crime in him” (John 18:38).

Jesus is sent to Herod (Luke 23:6–16)

Learning Jesus is a Galilæan of Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate sends him to Herod, who sends him back; Pilate says neither he nor Herod found cause of death.

Barabbas or Jesus (Matthew 27:15–23; Mark 15:6–14; Luke 23:18–23)

Pilate offers to release one prisoner; his wife sends word about a righteous man; the chief priests persuade the multitude to ask for Barabbas.

Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified (John 19:1–16; Matthew 27:24–26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24–25)

Pilate scourges Jesus, says again that he finds no crime in him, is the more afraid, and in the end delivers him to be crucified.

Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified

“And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him” (John 19:4). The Jews said Jesus “made himself the Son of God” (John 19:7). “When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid” (John 19:8).

“Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar’s friend” (John 19:12). “Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified” (John 19:16).

The Gospel of Matthew says that Pilate “took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it” (Matthew 27:24).

He grants the body to Joseph (Mark 15:42–45; John 19:38)

Joseph of Arimathæa asks for the body of Jesus; Pilate marvels that he is already dead, asks the centurion, and grants the corpse.

The chief priests ask for a guard (Matthew 27:62–66)

On the morrow the chief priests and Pharisees ask Pilate to make the sepulcher sure until the third day; he answers, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

Jesus (John 18:38; John 19:16)

Pilate examined him, said he found no crime in him, and delivered him to be crucified.

Herod the Tetrarch (Luke 23:6–12)

Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, and the two became friends that day, having been at enmity before.

Joseph of Arimathæa (Mark 15:43–45; John 19:38)

Asked Pilate for the body of Jesus, and Pilate granted it.

His wife (Matthew 27:19)

Sent word while he sat on the judgment-seat: Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man.

Major sections

• Matthew 27:11–26
• Mark 15:1–15
• Luke 23:1–25
• John 18:28–19:16

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