PONTIUS PILATE

Pontius Pilate was Roman military governor, or procurator, of the province of Judaea from 26 A.D. to 36 A.D. Pilate is known mainly for his part in the trial and execution of Jesus Christ (probably C. 33 AD).

The governor of Judaea had complete judicial authority over all who were not Roman citizens, but cases relating to religious matters were often decided by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme council. According to the Gospel accounts, after the Sanhedrin found Jesus guilty of blasphemy, it committed him to the Roman court, as it had no power itself to pronounce the death sentence. Pilate refused to approve the judgement without investigation; the Jewish priests then made other charges against Jesus, and the governor had a private interview with him. Pilate appears to have been impressed with the dignity and with the frankness of Jesus' answers to his questions and to have tried to save him. However, fear of an uprising in Jerusalem forced Pilate to accede to the demand of the populace, and Jesus was executed. Pilate was recalled to Rome in AD 36. According to the theologian and church historian Eusebius of Caesarea, he later committed suicide. Pilate is revered as a martyr by the Coptic church, which celebrates his feast day on June 25. Mount Pilatus, near Lucerne, in Switzerland is so named because Pilate was alleged to have been buried there.

"When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
King James Bible Matthew 27.24-26