Pontius Pilate
He found no fault in Jesus, washed his hands, and sent him to be crucified.
New Testament · Governor c. AD 26–36 · Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts · Also known as Pilate, Governor of Judaea
About Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. When the chief priests brought Jesus to him, he questioned him privately: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world." Pilate asked, "What is truth?" and went out saying, "I find in him no fault at all." He offered to release Jesus or Barabbas, and the crowd chose Barabbas. His wife warned him about a dream. Afraid of a riot, he washed his hands before the crowd, had Jesus scourged, and handed him over to be crucified, with the title "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS" on the cross.
Pilate is known outside the Bible from Roman and Jewish writers and from an inscription found at Caesarea. As governor he alone could order a crucifixion. Christians have named him in their creeds for centuries: Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate," anchoring the cross in real history.
The story
Art thou the King of the Jews?
Pilate asked Jesus, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world… To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." "Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?" He went out and said, "I find in him no fault at all."
John 18:33-38
Barabbas or Jesus?
At the feast Pilate used to release a prisoner. "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" His wife sent word: "Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." The crowd, persuaded by the chief priests, chose Barabbas.
Matthew 27:15-21
He washed his hands
When Pilate saw "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." He released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and delivered him to be crucified.
Matthew 27:22-26
What I have written
Pilate wrote a title for the cross in Hebrew, Greek and Latin: "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS." When the chief priests asked him to change it, he answered, "What I have written I have written." Afterwards he gave Joseph of Arimathea the body, and let the priests seal the tomb: "make it as sure as ye can."
John 19:19-22; Matthew 27:62-66
Key moments
- Questions Jesus: "Art thou the King of the Jews?" (John 18:33)
- "What is truth?": "I find in him no fault." (John 18:38)
- Releases Barabbas: At the crowd’s demand. (Matthew 27:26)
- Washes his hands: "I am innocent of the blood." (Matthew 27:24)
- Writes the title: "What I have written I have written." (John 19:22)
Questions about Pontius Pilate
In meetBible these answers are given in Pontius Pilate’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
If you found no fault, why did you crucify Jesus?
Three times I said I found no fault in him. But the crowd cried, "Crucify him," and "If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend." Matthew says that when I saw "that rather a tumult was made," I washed my hands and gave him up. Mark says I was "willing to content the people." Scripture shows a man who knew the truth and chose his own safety.
What did you mean by "What is truth?"
Jesus said, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." I asked, "What is truth?" and went straight out without waiting for an answer. John doesn’t explain my tone. Readers have heard it as cynicism, weariness or real puzzlement. The irony John leaves is that the one standing before me had said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
Connected people
- Jesus: Sentenced him
- Joseph of Arimathea: Granted him the body
- Herod Antipas: Sent Jesus to him
- Barabbas: Released instead of Jesus
- Caiaphas: High priest who handed Jesus over
Read it yourself
Start with John 18:28–19:22.