Who is Pilate?

Rome appointed and dispatched governors to rule the region of Judea. The Jewish people were the most challenging to govern even under the Roman Empire, as there were constant threat of rebellion. The governor of Judea usually stayed in Caesarea, but he came to Jerusalem during festival periods to monitor the Jewish people, preventing them from starting riots. At that time, the governor of Judea was Pontius Pilate. (1) Pilate served as the governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36. Jesus’ trial took place in AD 30. (2) He was known as a very ruthless ruler. (3) Pilate anticipated that Jesus’ trial would take place early in the morning (the previous night, Roman soldiers had been sent for the arrest of Jesus). (4) Roman trials were always conducted publicly, and the proceedings began with the presentation of witnesses. Pilate presided over this trial.

The trial

Let’s review the flow of the trial, referring to the parallel account in John 18:28-38. (1) The Jewish leaders did not enter the Praetorium (the governor’s residence) to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean and missing the Passover meal (which was reserved for priests who ate the sacrificed lamb in the temple). (2) Pilate went out to them to hear their accusations, but since there were no witnesses, the trial couldn’t proceed. (3) Pilate did not see this as a political matter and suggested they judge the case according to their own laws. However, the Jewish leaders insisted that only Rome had the authority for capital punishment. (4) Pilate questioned Jesus again, but Jesus remained silent, refusing to answer any of the accusations. It was necessary for Jesus to die Jesus on the cross, not by stoning. Dying on a tree was a necessary condition for it to become the atonement for sin. The Romans had taken away from the Jewish people the authority to execute death penalty just before the year 30 AD – right before Jesus’ trial. How marvelous God’s plan is! Jesus’ death on the cross was for the redemption of our sins. The love of God was manifested on the cross. Let’s be thankful and accept this love.