Pontius pilate was the governor of the roman province of judaea from ad 26 until 36. I am just rereading a book i devoured a couple of years ago. Pontius pilate coin found on the shroud of turin simon. Although this gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have been really written by nicodemus, who became a disciple of jesus christ, and conversed with him. The gospel of nicodemus formerly called the acts of pontius pilate. In one of the earliest summaries of orthodox christian doctrine ever produced, the apostles creed, there is a reference to jesus being crucified under pontius pilate. Is the character or story of boaz a true event or was it an added fiction to the story line. This roman governor is included in the creed because of his central role in the crucifixion, which was used.
And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to pontius pilate the governor. Pontius pilate in history and interpretation helen k. The acts of pilate occasionally referred to as the gospel of pilate is a book of new testament apocrypha. Was he a sympathetic figure who succumbed to jewish mob pressure or a brutal and rapacious governor.
The oldest sections of the book appear first in greek. He was the emperors agent, invested with full civil, military and criminal jurisdiction. Memorials of our lord jesus christ, done in the time of pontius pilate. Why shouldnt we trust the noncanonical gospel of nicodemus. In a world full of dvd extras, behindthescenes commentary, and social media, people are used to getting the story behind the story. This is the senior pastor bringing the message pontius pilate in completing my long series of sermons from the book of mark, i thought i would like to present a sermon on this ruler who consigned jesus to death. Pontius pilate was the fifth prefect of the roman province of judaea and presided over the trial of jesus. Pilate appears in all four canonical christian gospels. Pilates wife warned him, pilate didnt listen what do we know about pilates wife. In modern times he is best known as the man who presided over the trial of jesus. In modern times he is best known as the man who presided over the trial of jesus and ordered his crucifixion. This historical novel of the man who washed his hands of the crucifixion does just that. All kjv books old testament only new testament only apocrypha only. The dates of its accreted sections are uncertain, but.
The prominent position occupied by pontius pilate in early christian thought is further evidenced by the gospel of nicodemus. Roger cailloiss novel pontius pilate is a compeling look at the dilemma that pontius pilate, procurator of judea, may have faced in making the decision to execute jesus. And that these things happened you can ascertain from the acts of pontius pilate. He was not a big enough man to comprehend the nature of his task as governor of the jews he failed to grasp the fact that these hebrews had a real. Jesus before pilate, a monograph of the crucifixion, including the. Apostles, in which pilate was fully condemned for crucifying. Dec 02, 2004 this study reconstructs the historical pontius pilate and looks at the way in which he is used as a literary character in the works of six first century authors. For some he is a saint, for others the embodiment of human weakness, an archetypal politician willing to sacrifice one man for the sake of stability. Pontius pilate, roman prefect governor of judaea who presided at the trial of jesus and gave the order for his crucifixion. This study reconstructs the historical pontius pilate and looks at the way in which he is used as a literary character in the works of six first century authors. This historically annotated piece of work is a brilliant read. But you might notice that the gospel authors tend to cut him quite a bit of slack. The most important sources are the embassy to gaius after 41 ce by contemporary jewish writer philo of alexandria, the jewish wars c.
He was prefect during the time of john the baptists ministry as recorded in the gospels, as well as the ministry and crucifixion of jesus see luke 3. Readers want to understand not just what happened but why. In pontius pilate, maier paints a picture for modern readers to help them understand the behindthescenes complexities, political and religious realities, and. This roman governor is included in the creed because of his central role in the crucifixion, which was used by god to bring about the salvation of his people. It is uncertain whether pilate was actually married, although it is likely. Pontius pilate simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Izydorczyk, the medieval gospel of nicodemus medieval. One can imagine him agonising, seeing that jesus had. Bookprinted material jesus before pilate, a monograph of the crucifixion, including the reports, letters and acts of pontius pilate concerning the trial and.
Pontius pilate is, shock of all shocks, a novel about the live of pontius pilate. Pontius pilate biography childhood, life achievements. Very little, except that she was highborn, roman, welleducated and wealthy and the wife of the roman governor, pontius pilate, at the time of jesus death on the morning of the trial of jesus, she sent an urgent message to her husband. The gospel of nicodemus, also known as the acts of pilate is an apocryphal gospel claimed to. It is engagingly written from pontius pilates vantage point, starting with pilates political life in rome and appointment as prefect in judea ad 26 and continuing through the murder of jesus 33 by maiers calculation, which is feasible though many scholars prefer 30, death of tiberius 37, assassination of caligula 41, and beginning of. Wroe offers a fascinating speculative account, based on the scanty available sources and her superb knowledge of roman society.
The gospel of nicodemus, also known as the acts of pilate latin. Pontius pilates wife, claudia, is only mentioned once in the new testament, in matthew 27. Maybe pontius pilate did a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Although he was a fairly good administrator, he was a moral coward. The often quoted letter of pontius pilate to claudius is not from croziers book but from the far older the acts of pilate as proven by its citation in. I give thee charge in the sight of god, who quickeneth all things, and before christ jesus. Pontius pilates wife is the unnamed spouse of pontius pilate, who appears only once in the gospel of matthew, where she intercedes with pilate on jesus behalf. Paul maiers book, pontius pilate, is a masterpiece of historical fiction heavy emphasis on the historical. The dates of its accreted sections are uncertain, but scholars agree in assigning it to the middle of the fourth century. The first chapter provides an introduction to the history and formation of the imperial roman province of judaea. Although pilate is sometimes understood as having been weak or vacillating, an early church tradition that had a favorable opinion of him has persisted in some churches. Machaerus macro malchus mediterranean messiah military morning never night palestine passover pilate and procula pilate thought pilates political pontius pilatus praetorian prefect of judea princeps prisoner procula proculeius prophet province rabbi religious replied. Pontius pilate a brief overview click around the picture pontius pilate will go down forever in history as the man who ordered the crucifixion of jesus, persuaded by the jewish authorities against his will.
The illegitimate daughter of julia, reviled and exiled daughter of caesar augustus, claudia spends her childhood in a guarded villa with her mother and grandmother. All ye, therefore, who read and transfer into other books, remember me, and pray for. Some acts of pilate, it seems, were known as early as the second century. I ananias, of the propraetors bodyguard, being learned in the law, knowing our lord jesus christ from the holy. However, the acts of pilate is not considered genuine, so the part about apologists using a known fiction is true. The gospel of nicodemus and the acts of pilate 300375ad. Well researched, it paints a fascinating picture without getting to preachy, id recommend it to anyone, from curious christians to skeptic i read this book back when i was thirteen, but at pastor klats urging decided to reread it for lent. This biography provides detailed information on his childhood, life, activities and timeline. Pilate or anyone else who could have witnessed the contents of the book. Each time pilate is brought before the emperor for sentencing, he wraps himself in the seamless, holy garment he has stolen from christ, and its. I was surprised to see bulgakov decided to use the encounter between pontius pilate and jesus as an element at all in the novel, but it does provide the author the opportunity to take the familiar and highlight what he chooses because it differs from the generally accepted version of. Chapter two pontius pilate sympathy for the devil, by the rolling stones, has the same chord pattern as taking care of business by bachman turner overdrive. In modern times he is best known as the man who presided over the trial of jesus and ordered his crucifixion pilate appears in all four canonical christian gospels.
Pontius pilate by paul maier, author nook book ebook. Nevertheless, in many christian retellings of the story of jesus crucifixion pilates role is often portrayed incorrectly. Pontius pilate by ann wroe meet your next favorite book. Very little, except that she was highborn, roman, welleducated and wealthy and the wife of the roman governor, pontius pilate, at the time of jesus death. Thus, the pontius pilate coin found upon the eyes of the man on the shroud is an astounding find and one that cannot be ignored and not only does the pontius pilate coin directly link the shroud of turin to 1st century jerusalem, but the coins reveal that the image was. Pilatus may mean armed with a javelin, or it may refer to the pilus, or felt cap, emblem of a freed slave. This work falls into two distinct and independent parts.
If one is searching for a single book that explores the historical realities of pilate, his term as prefect of judea, and the trial of jesus, this is that one book. But i am not sure if bto read bulgakov, which mick jagger cited as one of his sources, alongside baudelaire, for the line that satan made damn sure that pilate washed his hands and. The foil to jesus, the defiant antihero of the easter story, mocking, skeptical pilate is a historical figure who haunts our imagination. The gospel of nicodemus, formerly called the acts of pontius pilate. Acts of pilate encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. In the th century book the golden legends, jacobus wyerenga collected many of the stories about pilate from earlier centuries, including a legend in which pilate is arrested for killing christ.
The roman prefect of judea, pontius pilate, is famous because of his role in the new testament gospels. Mark, showing jesus to be innocent of plotting against rome, portrays pilate as extremely reluctant to. Sources on pontius pilate are limited, although modern scholars know more about him than about other roman governors of judaea. The blame is usually placed on judas, the bloodthirsty crowd, or the religious authoritiesnot on the actual person whos ordering the crucifying. I really, really wanted to like this book, but i couldnt get past the first 30 pages. In later tradition, she becomes known as procula latin. Pilate saith unto them, take ye him, and crucify him.
It presents a biographical insight into the life and career of pontius pilate. Pontius pilate, the roman procurator of the bible, who condemned jesus christ to death, was born in hausen. In pontius pilate, maier paints a picture for modern readers to help them understand the behindthescenes complexities, political and religious realities, and ultimately, the humanity of the people we know from scripture. The prominent position occupied by pontius pilate in early christian thought is further. Pontius pilate was the governor of the roman province of judaea from ad 26 until 36 he was the sixth procurator of judaea. An appended text is a written report made by pontius pilate to claudius, containing a. Pilates name is even mentioned in ancient christian creeds. Pontius pilate encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway.
Pontius pilate was the roman procurator in judea from 26 to 36 a. Pilate presided that day, as always, with power, cum potestate. The often quoted letter of pontius pilate to claudius is not from croziers book but from the far older the acts of pilate as proven by its citation in works from 1827, 1880 and 1883, so the claim the letter comes from there is false. The ruthless slaughter of thousands of samaritan pilgrims by pilates cavalry ca. The gospel of nicodemus formerly called the acts of pontius pilate book. The title gospel of nicodemus is medieval in origin. I ananias, of the propraetors bodyguard, being learned in the law, knowing our lord jesus christ from the holy scriptures, coming to him by faith, and counted worthy of the holy baptism, searching also the memorials written at that time of what was done in the. It is historical fiction, but dont let that put you off. Rather, this book is a study of the representations of pilate the concepts of pilate within christian and nonchristian communities from the divergent accounts given in the four canonic gospels, to that of augustine, to the entertaining figure of medieval passion and corpus christi dramas, to the pilate that intrigued 19th c philosphers, to. He is best known today for being the official who presided over the trial of jesus and ordered his crucifixion. Maier and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The gospel of nicodemus formerly called the acts of. The first printed version of this legend first was published in 1855 and then again in 1865, the oral tradition certainly is older.
Pontius pilate s wife is the unnamed spouse of pontius pilate, who appears only once in the gospel of matthew, where she intercedes with pilate on jesus behalf. Matthew mainly puts the blame on judas and the bloodthirsty crowd thats. Pontius pilate was roman prefect of judea, the fifth governor of the province from a. The tendency to minimize the guilt of pilate which is found in the gospel according to peter shows the keen interest with which ancient christianity regarded his person. Justin martyr remarks in his first apology 35 after he has mentioned the passion and crucifixion of jesus. In the last two episodes of the show ad on nbc, there is the story of boaz who killed a roman soldier, and in turn, pilate had crucified 10 jews everyday until he was found. He commands our moral attention not because he was a bad man, but because he was so nearly a good man. Pontius pilate s wife, claudia, is only mentioned once in the new testament, in matthew 27. The following two chapters examine the references to pilate in philo and. Thus, the pontius pilate coin found upon the eyes of the man on the shroud is an astounding find and one that cannot be ignored and not only does the pontius pilate coin directly link the shroud of turin to 1st century jerusalem, but the coins reveal that the image was formed when the man on the shroud was lying down. The same author, in noticing that eusebius in his ecclesiastical history, charges the pagans with having forged and published a book, called the acts of pilate, takes occasion to observe that the internal evidence of this gospel shows it was not the work of any heathen, but that if in the latter end of the third century we find it in use.