Bible Study: Who Actually Killed Jesus Christ?
Psalm 5, Revelation 8:11, and other scriptures Wormwood is mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of pain and anguish. In the end, she is as bitter as wormwood because I am feeding them wormwood and giving them poisoned water to drink. “The lips of a loose woman flow honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood.” Returning to the beginning
Judas Iscariot – Betrayer of Jesus Christ
Scripture references include Proverbs 5:4 and Revelation 8:11. Wormwood is connected with suffering and anguish in the Bible. “I am feeding these people with wormwood and giving them toxic water to drink, and “the lips of a loose woman flow honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; yet in the end, she is bitter as wormwood.” Return to the beginning
Joseph Caiaphas – High Priest of the Jerusalem Temple
Photographs courtesy of Getty Images When Jesus of Nazareth came to Jerusalem, Joseph Caiaphas, the High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem from 18 to 37 A.D., was one of the most powerful men in ancient Israel, yet he felt threatened by the peace-loving teacher. During the trial and execution of Jesus Christ, he played an important part. Caiaphas was concerned that Jesus might incite an uprising, resulting in a crackdown by the Romans, who were pleased with Caiaphas’ service. As a result, Caiaphas determined that Jesus would have to die.
Learn more about Caiaphas’ role in Jesus’ death by reading this article.
Pontius Pilate – Roman Governor of Judea
The Getty Images collection contains a variety of images that are available for licensing. When Jesus of Nazareth came to Jerusalem, Joseph Caiaphas, the High Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem from 18 to 37 A.D., was one of the most powerful men in ancient Israel, yet he felt threatened by the peace-loving Rabbi. During the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, he played a crucial part in establishing his reputation. Foreboding that Jesus would instigate a revolt, Caiaphas sought to have Jesus put under house arrest by the Romans, whom he served.
His accusation against the Lord was blasphemy, which is a felony punishable by death according to Jewish law.
Herod Antipas – Tetrarch of Galilee
The head of John the Baptist is carried to Herod Antipas by Princess Herodias. Stringer / Getty Images / Archive Photos / Stringer Herod Antipas was a tetrarch, or ruler of Galilee and Perea, who was selected by the Romans to serve as their representative. Due to Jesus’ status as a Galilean, who fell under Herod’s jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus to him. Herod had already assassinated the famous prophet John the Baptist, who was also Jesus’ friend and kinsman. Jesus was asked to perform a miracle for Herod, rather than finding the truth about what had happened.
When Jesus remained mute, Herod, who was terrified of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, ordered him to be returned to Pilate for death. Learn more about Herod’s part in the killing of Jesus by reading this article.
Centurion – Officer in Ancient Rome’s Army
The head of John the Baptist is carried to Herod Antipas by Princess Herodias, according to legend. Stringer / Getty Images / Archive Photos / As tetrarch, or ruler of Galilee and Perea, Herod Antipas was selected by the Romans to serve as their representative. As a Galilean, Jesus fell under Herod’s jurisdiction, which is why Pilate sent him to see him. Earlier, Herod had assassinated the famous prophet John the Baptist, who was also a friend and relative of Jesus’. Jesus was commanded to perform a miracle for Herod, rather than finding the truth about what happened.
Learn more about Herod’s participation in the killing of Jesus by reading this article on the subject.
Why Did Pontius Pilate Have Jesus Executed?
“What is truth?” Pontius Pilate asks Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel of John, and Jesus responds with a question. It’s a question that may be raised regarding Pilate’s own personal background as well. According to the New Testament of the Christian Bible, the Roman ruler of Judea was a shaky judge who originally exonerated Jesus before bowing to the will of the multitude and condemned him to death as a result of his actions. Non-Biblical sources, on the other hand, present him as a barbaric commander who wilfully rejected the traditions of the Jewish people under his command.
WATCH: JESUS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE VaultJesus before Pilate, just before he was crucified.
Pilate’s early life is a mystery.
Before his time as Roman governor of Judea, from 26 and 36 A.D., nothing is known about Pilate’s early life and career. While most believe he was born into an equestrian family in Italy, certain tales indicate that he was actually born in the Scottish Highlands. From the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria emerges one of the earliest—and most damning—accounts of Pilate’s reign as governor. Around the year 50 A.D., he denounced the prefect for “briberies, insults, robberies, outrages and wanton injuries, executions without trial, constantly repeated, endless and extremely severe brutality,” among other things.
Patterson describes Pilate’s rule as “corrupt and full of bribery.” Patterson is an early Christianity historian at Willamette University and the author of several books, including The Forgotten Creed: Christianity’s Original Struggle Against Bigotry, Slavery, and Sexism.
“Philo is a really dramatic writer,” she observes, “and one who has very apparent biases: persons who maintain Jewish rules are documented in highly favorable ways, whereas people who do not uphold Jewish laws are represented in quite bad ways.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: The Bible asserts that Jesus was a real person. Is there any further evidence? Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus had been tortured, and this was the culmination of that suffering. courtesy of DeAgostini/Getty Images
Pilate clashed with the Jewish population in Jerusalem.
A pair of golden shields emblazoned with the name of the Roman Emperor Tiberius were allowed into King Herod’s ancient residence in Jerusalem, according to Philo, despite Jewish tradition. Writing more than a half-century later, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus related a similar story, claiming that Pilate let troops bearing military standards with the likeness of the emperor into Jerusalem, despite Jewish law prohibiting the carrying of images in the holy city. A large number of people journeyed to the Judean city of Caesarea to express their displeasure, and they laid prostrate outside Pilate’s palace for five days until he finally yielded.
- This account has the ring of a rookie governor experimenting with his powers and entirely underestimating the depth of local opposition to graven images.
- Josephus related another event, this one with a bloodier conclusion, in which Pilate used cash from the Temple treasury to construct an aqueduct to provide water to Jerusalem.
- They were successful.
- More information may be found at: Where Is the Head of Saint John the Baptist?
The Gospels portray an indecisive Pilate.
Josephus also referred to Pilate’s well-known role in agreeing to Jesus’ death, which he had played previously. After being gravely concerned by his teachings, the Sanhedrin (an elite council of priestly and lay elders) arrested Jesus while he was celebrating the Jewish festival of Passover, according to the Gospels. They hauled Jesus before Pilate to be prosecuted for blasphemy, accusing him of claiming to be the King of the Jews, which they said was false. And they exerted pressure on Pilate, the only person who had the authority to sentence someone to death, to order his crucifixion.
According to the Gospel of Mark, Pilate intervened on Jesus’ behalf before caving in to the demands of the mob.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: Discovering the Early Christian Church’s Conversion Tactics from Within “Mark’s goal isn’t truly historical in nature,” Patterson explains.
Mark blamed the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem for the city’s collapse since the high priests and officials had turned their backs on Jesus when he had arrived in the city.
courtesy of DeAgostini/Getty Images Following this, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate washed his hands in front of the assembled throng before declaring, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; take care of yourself.” When the Jewish people heard this, they yelled out, “His blood be on us and our children.” For millennia, it would be used to punish the Jewish people, and it is still being utilized now.
As Bond explains, “Matthew claims that, while Romans were accountable for carrying out the action, the Jews were liable—a line of thought that, of course, has had fatal ramifications ever since.” When Jesus was making problems during a gathering like Passover, when the city was packed to capacity, I don’t believe Pilate would have spent much time worrying about what to do with him.
According to the Gospels, the people preferred the criminal Barabbas than Jesus.
The so-called custom of freeing a prisoner on Passover has been investigated by scholars, but so far, according to Patterson, “they have not discovered anything in regard to this so-called ritual.” More information may be found at: Early Christians Didn’t Always Take the Bible Literally (Discovery).
Pilate disappears from history after his rule.
Following the use of disproportionate force to quell a suspected Samaritan rebellion, Pilate was dismissed from office and transported back to Rome, according to Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus. Pilate vanished from the historical record as soon as he arrived in Rome. According to various legends, he was either executed by Emperor Caligula or committed suicide, with his remains being thrown into the Tiber River after his death. In fact, the early Christian author Tertullian said that Pilate had become a disciple of Jesus and had attempted to convert the emperor to Christian beliefs.
A portion of a carved stone with Pilate’s name and title etched in Latin on it was discovered face down in an antique theater, where it had been used as a stair.
According to a November 2018 article in Israel Exploration Journal, improved photography showed Pilate’s name engraved in Greek on a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring recovered at Herodium, which was previously thought to be a Roman coin.
Who is responsible in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
QUESTION: Who bears the primary responsibility for the crucifixion of Christ? Answer: This subject has been disputed for ages and the discussion continues now – who was the genuine assassin of Jesus Christ. What does the Bible say about this? It is revealed in Matthew 27:22–25 that the Jewish authorities asked that Jesus be crucified. The Romans, on the other hand, were the ones who physically crucified Jesus (Matthew 27:27-37). Who has the ultimate responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
- Our sins were the cause of His death.
- But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, according to the Bible’s verse Romans 5:8.
- Pilate was the one who inquired.
- ‘Why?
- “Crucify him!” they cried out even louder, as if they had something to prove.
- ‘I am not responsible for this man’s blood,’ he insisted.
- They stripped him down to his underwear and draped him in a red robe before twisting a crown of thorns together and placing it on his head.
- ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they cried out in jubilation.
- After they had made fun of him, they stripped him of his robe and dressed him in his own clothing.
- ” “As they were about to leave, they came upon a man from Cyrene called Simon, whom they compelled to carry the cross for them.
- They offered Jesus wine laced with gall to drink there, but after tasting it, he refused to take any more from the cup.
After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, they divided his clothing by drawing lots for it. They sat down and kept a close eye on him from that position. A printed indictment against him was placed over his head, which read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWISH GENTILES.”
The Crucifixion of Jesus and the Jews
INQUIRY: Who bears the primary responsibility for Jesus Christ’s crucifixion? ANSWER:This subject has been argued for years, and the dispute continues today – who was the person who murdered Jesus? Which passages of Scripture do you want to look at? It is revealed in Matthew 27:22–25 that the Jewish authorities asked that Jesus be executed. The Romans, on the other hand, were the ones who executed Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:27-37). Is it possible to determine who is accountable for the crucifixion of Christ?
- His death was brought upon by our misdeeds.
- For my sins and your sins, Jesus gave His life in order to pay the punishment for them both.
- This is what Matthew 27:22–25 has to say about it: “The question is: ‘What am I to do with Jesus, who is also known as Christ?
- It was unanimously agreed upon to be crucified.
- The emperor Pilate demanded to know what crime he had done.
- He did this in front of the audience because he saw he wasn’t making any progress and that an uproar was brewing.
- It was him who said, “I am not responsible for this man’s death.” The onus is on you!’ he says.
A red robe was slung over his shoulders, and then a crown of thorns was woven together and fastened around his neck.
They sang, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ They spat on him and then got a rod and repeatedly beat him in the head with it.
Afterwards, they took him away and nailed him to the cross.
This is where they arrived: Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).
He was crucified, and when his clothing were split by lot, he was buried.
A printed indictment against him was placed over his head, which read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWISH NATIONS.”
Contributors
Mark Allan Powell is a professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota (Columbus, Ohio). He is the editor of the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary and the author of Introducing the New Testament (Baker, 2009) andJesus as a Figure in History (Westminster, 2009). He received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. John Knox Publishing Company, 2012). A gathering of individuals who are participating in religious services and are worshiping. The proclamation of “the good news” of Jesus Christ to the entire world.
- spurious gospel purporting to have been authored by the apostle Peter, but which was rejected by the early Roman Catholic Church as part of the canonical New Testament canon because of its apocryphal nature.
- A narrative that has been written, spoken, or recorded.
- God’s character and actions are discussed through writing, conversation, or contemplation.
- 15:1111 (Mark 15:1111) The leading priests, on the other hand, incited the mob to demand that Jesus release Barabbas for them instead.
27:2525 (KJV) Following that, the entire population exclaimed, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 5:1818 (John 5:1818) In order to assassinate him, the Jews increased their efforts even further, believing that he was not only violating the Sabbath but also referring to God as his own Father in the process.
- He did not want to travel about in Judea since the Jews were searching for an occasion to attack him and his family.
- 1 2:14-1514 (Thess 2:14-1514) Because you, brothers and sisters, were models for the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are located in Judea, because you experienced the same things from your own compa, you became imitators of those churches.
- Observe further information 10:45:45 (Mark 10:45:45) The Son of Man, after all, did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 18:1111 (John 18:1111) “Put your sword back into its sheath,” Jesus instructed Peter to do.
- God, on the other hand, demonstrates his love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
- More details may be found at1 Tim 1:515 p.m.
When it comes to Christ Jesus coming into the world to help sinners—of which I am the foremost—the phrase is certain and deserving of complete acceptance. Matt. 27:2525 (KJV) Following that, the entire population exclaimed, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Profiles of Joseph Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate, key figures in the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Joseph Caiaphas, High Priest (18 C.E.-36 C.E)Joseph Caiaphas was the high priest of Jerusalem who, according to Biblical accounts, sent Jesus to Pilate for his execution.As high priest and chief religious authority in the land, Caiaphas had many important responsibilities, including controlling the Temple treasury, managing the Temple police and other personnel, performing religious rituals, and-central to the passion story-serving as president of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council and court that reportedly considered the case of Jesus.The high priest had another, more controversial function in first-century Jerusalem: serving as a sort of liaison between Roman authority and the Jewish population.High priests, drawn from the Sadducean aristocracy, received their appointment from Rome since the time of Herod the Great, and Rome looked to high priests to keep the Jewish populace in line.We know from other cases (such as one incident in 66 C.E.) that Roman prefects might demand that high priests arrest and turn over Jews seen as agitators.Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, high priest from 6 to 15 C.E. and head of a family that would control the high priesthood for most of the first century.Annas is also mentioned in Biblical accounts.It is possible that he, as a high priest emeritus, might have served at the side of Caiaphas in the Sanhedrin called to resolve the fate of Jesus.Although little is known of Caiaphas, historians infer from his long tenure as high priest, from 18 to 36 C.E., that he must have worked well with Roman authority.For ten years, Caiaphas served with Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.The two presumably had a close relationship.It is likely that Caiaphas and Pilate had standing arrangements for how to deal with subversive persons such as Jesus.Caiaphas’s motives in turning Jesus over to Pilate are a subject of speculation.Some historians suggest that he had little choice.Others argue that Caiaphas saw Jesus as a threat to the existing religious order.He might have believed that if Jesus wasn’t restrained or even executed that the Romans might end their relative tolerance of Jewish institutions.High priests, including Caiaphas, were both respected and despised by the Jewish population.As the highest religious authority, they were seen as playing a critical role in religious life and the Sanhedrin.At the same time, however, many Jews resented the close relationship that high priest maintained with Roman authorities and suspected them of taking bribes or practicing other forms of corruption.In the year 36 C.E., both Caiaphas and Pilate were dismissed from office by Syrian governor, Vitellius, according to Jewish historian Josephus.It seems likely that the cause of their dismissal was growing public unhappiness with their close cooperation.Rome might have perceived the need for a conciliatory gesture to Jews whose sensibilities had been offended by the two leaders. Josephus described the high priests of the family of Annas as “heartless when they sit in judgment.”Unlike other Temple priests, Caiaphas, as a high priest, lived in Jerusalem’s Upper City, a wealthy section inhabited by the city’s powers-that-be.His home almost certainly was constructed around a large courtyard.Archaeologists discovered in 1990 in a family tomb in Abu Tor, two miles south of Jerusalem, an ossuary, or bone box, containing on its side the name of Joseph Caiaphas, written in Aramaic.The ossuary is assumed to be genuine. | Pontius Pilate, Roman Prefect (26 C.E. -36 C.E.)Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, a subprovince of Syria, who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.As prefect, Pilate commanded Roman military units, authorized construction projects, arranged for the collection of imperial taxes, and decidedcivil and criminal cases.During his ten-year tenure as prefect, Pilate had numerous confrontations with his Jewish subjects.According to Jewish historian Josephus, Pilate’s decision to bring into the holy city of Jerusalem “by night and under cover effigies of Caesar” outraged Jews who considered the images idolatrous.Jews carried their protest to Pilate’s base in Caesaria.Pilate threatened the protesters with death, but when they appeared willing to accept martyrdom he relented and removed the offending images.Again according to Josephus, Pilate provoked another outcry from his Jewish subjects when he used Temple funds to build an aqueduct.It seems likely that at the time of the trial of Jesus, civil unrest had again broken out in Jerusalem.Pilate’s lack of concern for Jewish sensibilities was accompanied, according to Philo writing in 41 C.E, by corruption and brutality.Philo wrote that Pilate’s tenure was associated with “briberies, insults, robberies, outrages, wanton injustices, constantly repeated executions without trial, and ceaseless and grievous cruelty.”Philo may have overstated the case, but there is little to suggest that Pilate would have any serious reservations about executing a Jewish rabble-rouser such as Jesus.Although Pilate spent most of his time in the coastal town of Caesaria, he traveled to Jerusalem for important Jewish festivals.While in Jerusalem, he stayed in the praetorium, which-there is a debate about this-was either a former palace of Herod the Great or a fortress located at the northwest corner of the Temple Mount.(Josephus reported that Pilate resided at the palace.)Christian accounts of the trial of Jesus suggest either that Pilate played no direct role in the decision to execute Jesus (Peter), or that he ordered the crucifixion of Jesus with some reluctance (Mark) or with great reluctance (Luke, John).Many historians attribute these accounts to efforts by early Christians to make their message more palatable to Roman audiences.It is clear that prefects had a variety of options available for dealing with a potential source of trouble such as Jesus.These options included flogging, sending the matter back to the Sanhedrin, or referring the case to Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee.Given what is known about Pilate’s concern with crowd control, it is hard to imagine that he would not have willingly acceded to a request from high Jewish officials to deal harshly with anyone who proclaimed himself “King of the Jews.”Pilate undoubtedly knew that past messianic claims had led to civil unrest.It seems likely that he would have been eager to end the potential threat to the existing order presented by the subversive theology of Jesus. The form of execution used-crucifixion- establishes that Jesus was condemned as a violator of Roman, not Jewish, law.Pilate’s repeated difficulties with his Jewish subjects was the apparent cause of his removal from office in 36 C.E. by Syrian governor Vitellius.Following his removal from office, Pilate was ordered to Rome to face complaints of excessive cruelty.He was exiled in Vienne, France. |
What Happened to Pontius Pilate — The Man Responsible for Crucifying Jesus?
In front of the crowd, Pilate presents Jesus to them. Wikimedia Commons has made this image available to the public. Pontius Pilate was unquestionably a historical person of importance. At 1961, a slab of limestone with inscriptions was discovered in Caesarea Maritima (modern-day Israel), stating that he served as the Roman governor of Judah during the reign of Emperor Tiberius and during the time period when Jesus was living. A number of documents connected to his rule have also been discovered in Rome among ancient writings.
- The accusations of treason were brought against Jesus because he claimed to be the “King of all Jews,” which was a prohibited claim to make while Judaea was under the control of Rome.
- For more than two centuries, Pilate had served as the ruler of that section of the Roman empire (and would continue to be until 36 AD).
- Many pagan symbols were introduced into hallowed Jewish institutions as a result of his orders, which caused consternation among the local community.
- He had a conversation with Jesus, and it appears that he first believed him to be innocent.
- Then, three days after his death, Jesus resurrected from the dead, demonstrating to his disciples that he truly was the son of God (again, according toscriptures).
- However, despite the significant role that Pontius Pilate had in its inception, the vast majority of people are unaware of what happened to him over the remainder of his life after that.
- For them, the following few years were just another day at the office.
There were a slew of other suspected rebels who suffered a fate similar to Jesus’s later on throughout his reign.
Furthermore, because the inhabitants of Judaea were not citizens, Pilate was free to be as harsh as he pleased.
Other historical texts also describe how Pilate seized cash from a Jewish temple and used them to construct an aqueduct connecting Jerusalem to the rest of the world.
To do this, he had troops masquerading as citizens enter the unarmed throng and then beat a number of demonstrators to death with clubbing weapons.
In the end, his worst misfortune happened when a group of Samaritans went in search of items that were claimed to have been buried by the Prophet Moses at Mount Gerizim and found none.
Pilate was quickly summoned to Rome, where he was tried by Tiberius after some of the survivors reported to the Roman governor of Syria, Lucius Vitellius, about what had happened to them.
Nevertheless, while he was on his way, Tiberius passed away due to old age and was succeeded by Caligula.
Pilate had just recently resigned from politics and was surviving on a state pension and whatever money he had stolen from the people of Judaea to supplement his income.
Following his death, a vast deal of information about Pilate disseminated throughout Europe.
They just wished to avoid being persecuted any further than they were already being mistreated.
The dissemination of fake letters purporting to be authored by Pilate occurred as early as the 2nd century, according to historical records.
The “Acts of Pilate,” among other sources, described how Pilate allegedly declared, “I have discovered no grounds for the death punishment.
The Jewish mob, on the other hand, wanted him dead and fought back by screaming, “His blood be on us and our children!” To put it another way, they’ll accept responsibility for assassinating the son of God.
According to the author, this quotation was written several years after Christ’s death with the goal of shifting the responsibility from Pilate to the Jews, as previously mentioned.
Eventually, as the Roman Empire converted to Christianity, the guilt for Jesus’ crucifixion was shifted from the Jews to Pontius Pilate.
However, the harm had already been done in terms of the Gospels, which were blaming the Jews. In actuality, Pilate received no punishment at all for all of the atrocities he had done throughout his reign of terror (except perhaps eternal damnation).
Pontius Pilate
Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor who served under Tiberius the Great during the first century AD. His most well-known role is that of the judge in Jesus’ trial.
Who Was Pontius Pilate?
When Tiberius became emperor in the first century, Pontius Pilate became governor of Rome under his reign. Probably the most well-known of his accomplishments is his role as the judge at Jesus’ trial.
Prefect of Judea
Pontius Pilate was appointed prefect of the Roman provinces of Judaea, Samaria, and Iduma by the Roman Emperor Tiberius in 26 A.D., although Pilate is best remembered for his leadership of the Roman province of Judaea. While the average tenure for a Roman prefect was one to three years, Pilate was to keep his position as the fifth Roman procurator for a period of ten years, which was unprecedented at the time. Pontius Pilate became the successor of Valerius Gratus when he assumed his position.
His responsibilities as a prefect included routine activities like as tax collecting and project management for building projects.
Pontius Pilate made every effort to achieve this goal by whatever means necessary.
Jesus’ Crucifixion
Despite the fact that Pilate is most remembered for his leadership of Judaea, in 26 A.D., the Roman Emperor Tiberius named Pontius Pilate as prefect of the Roman provinces of Judaea, Samaria, and Idumia. While the average tenure for a Roman prefect was one to three years, Pilate was to keep his position as the fifth Roman procurator for a total of ten years, which was unprecedented at the time. Pontius Pilate succeeded Valerius Gratus as the ruler of the Roman Empire. The power of a supreme judge was conferred to Pontius Pilate while serving as a Roman prefect, which meant that he had the exclusive right to order the execution of a criminal.
He was also in charge of preserving law and order, which was possibly his most important duty.
Apparently, he used sheer force to accomplish what couldn’t be accomplished through negotiation.
Mysterious Death
The circumstances surrounding Pontius Pilate’s death, which occurred about 39 A.D., remain a mystery and a matter of debate. According to some legends, the Roman emperor Caligula ordered Pontius Pilate’s death by execution or suicide, which was carried out. According to some stories, Pontius Pilate was exiled and eventually committed suicide of his own free will. Some stories hold that after committing himself, his body was thrown into the Tiber River, which is where he is buried. Others, on the other hand, feel that Pontius Pilate’s destiny was tied to his conversion to Christianity and his canonization.
Whatever happened to Pontius Pilate in the end, one thing has been established: that he was a real person who lived in the first century A.D.
During an excavation in Caesarea Maritima in 1961, Italian archaeologist Dr. Antonio Frova discovered a piece of limestone etched with Pontius Pilate’s name in Latin, establishing a link between Pilate and Emperor Tiberius’ reign in the city.
Who was responsible for Christ’s death? Who killed Jesus?
When Pontius Pilate died in 39 A.D., the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, as well as a matter of debate. It is said that the Roman emperor Caligula ordered Pontius Pilate’s execution or suicide, according to various legends. Pontius Pilate was exiled, and according to other versions, he committed himself on his own initiative. Following his suicide, some stories claim that his body was thrown into the Tiber River, which is now known as the Tiber River of Rome. Others, on the other hand, feel that Pontius Pilate’s destiny was tied to his conversion to Christianity and canonization afterward.
Whatever happened to Pontius Pilate in the end, one thing has been established: that he was a real person who lived in the first century CE.
Antonio Frova discovered a piece of limestone etched with Pontius Pilate’s name in Latin during a 1961 dig in Caesarea Maritima, establishing a link between the Roman emperor Tiberius and the Pontius Pilate.
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Why Did Pontius Pilate Allow Jesus to Be Crucified?
Pontius Pilate seems to vanish from the pages of the Gospels almost as quickly as he emerges. Despite this, this Roman soldier plays such a significant part in the crucifixion that he is mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed as a result. As one of the most essential explanations of Jesus, what he performed on earth, and the many other fundamental teachings and beliefs that are central to the Christian faith, the Apostles’ Creed may well be the most important summary available. Those who have read about Pilate in the Gospel stories may recall him as a man who saw that Jesus was innocent, but who allowed his fear of the multitude to overpower his judgment.
The story of Pilate may be found in Matthew 27 and John 18:28-40, among other places.
He couldn’t bear the thought of allowing a guiltless guy to endure such a horrific death.
We’ll get into these and other questions in further detail below.
Who Was Pontius Pilate?
The Roman prefect (or governor) of Judea in the early first century was Pontius Pilate. He was known for his harsh treatment of the Jews (about 26-36 AD). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Pilate is believed to have risen to such a high position as a result of a recommendation from one of Emperor Tiberius’ favorite bureaucrats, a man named Sejanus. Pilate, although having landed a significant position, wreaked chaos for his position from the get-go. Pilate had fallen out of favor with Emperor Tiberius as a result of his insulting the faith of the Jews and operating an administration characterized by “corruption, violence, thefts, and bad treatment of the people.” When Sejanus, the administrator who had recommended Pilate for the role, vanished from the scene – having murdered Tiberius’ son and plotting to assassinate the Emperor himself – the Emperor increased his scrutiny of Pilate.
Every one of his movements had to be closely scrutinized.
With his own fate and deeds hanging in the balance, Pilate finds himself confronted by a Jewish man with whom he can find no fault at this point in his life.
In the worst case scenario, if he refuses to cave in to their demands, they will notify Caesar (John 19:12).
They do, however, state their views clearly. Either you assassinate Jesus or you are no longer a friend of Caesar. The Roman governor, Pilate, caves in and enables them to crucify Jesus, wiping his hands clean of any blood that could be shed.
Why Did Pontius Pilate Crucify Jesus?
Despite the fact that Pilate clearly possessed considerable power, why would he sentence a guilty man to death? Even if he looks to be ignoring his conscience, wouldn’t the act of doing so haunt him nearly to death, knowing that he has doomed a sinless man to die, be a source of great anxiety for him? We must bear in mind a number of factors that contributed to Pontius Pilate’s decision to yield to the throng. After all of the evidence stated above, it should come as no surprise that Pilate was in poor status with Caesar.
- And the Jews believed that siding with Jesus was a grave error.
- For the second time, we’ll see that opponents of Christianity frequently assert that the Bible is untrustworthy and that Jesus may have never been at all.
- If you want a more in-depth explanation of this, see Lee Strobel’s book “The Case for Christ.” In truth, Jesus’ ministry – with a few notable exceptions, such as the woman at the well – was solely for the benefit of the Jewish people of the time.
- The Romans were largely uninterested in Jewish matters.
- According to their records, he was in compliance with their tax regulations and otherwise a good citizen (Mark 12:17).
- Furthermore, unless the Jews were leading a revolt or insurrection against Rome, the Romans were not very interested in the affairs of the Jews.
- Furthermore, Romans regarded persons who held Roman citizenship as being of higher significance than those who did not hold it.
- Despite the fact that Pilate understood he was innocent, he did not plan to risk his career and his life for a non-Roman citizen.
- In spite of his convictions that Jesus should not have been put to death, he neglected his conscience and succumbed to peer pressure from the surrounding community.
Why Is Pontius Pilate Included in the Creed?
Pilate even goes so far as to wash his hands of the wrongdoing, figuratively speaking (Matthew 27:24). The Jews did not legally condemn Jesus to death, did they? If this is true, then why does the Creed state that Jesus was “crucified by Pontius Pilate?” In the story recorded in Matthew 27, Pilate is given the opportunity to release Jesus, but he declines to do so. However, even if he abstains from interfering with the execution, he still plays a role in the process of carrying out the punishment.
The stoning method was used by the Jewish people to murder individuals (Acts 7:54-60).
Furthermore, Don Stewart notes that it was a Roman type of punishment reserved solely for people of the lowest social status, criminals, and rebels, as Don Stewart discusses in this article.
Considering that individuals who were killed were regarded “cursed,” as Stewart indicates above, it is possible that Jews brought Jesus before the Roman authorities.
Because crucifixion was a Roman method of punishment, and because Pilate stood there with his hands up and let the crowd to do whatever they wished, Jesus was brought to be killed by him, as well.
Why Does This Matter?
Pilate even goes so far as to actually wash his hands of the crime (Matthew 27:24). Were the Jews not the ones who officially condemned Jesus to death, after all? So, why does the Creed state that Jesus was “crucified by Pontius Pilate” (decapitated)? As recorded in Matthew 27, Pilate had the opportunity to release Jesus, but he declines to do so. However, even if he abstains from interfering with the execution, he still plays a role in its outcome because of his refusal to interfere. Crucifications were also Roman penalties, which is why they were carried out.
So Jesus would have been executed by the Romans and would have been condemned to death by a Roman in order for this to be accomplished.
During Jesus’ public declaration of his divinity, the Jews even attempted to stone him, according to the Gospels (John 10:30-33).
Any notion that Jesus was the Messiah would have been shattered as a result of this, as it would have been absurd for a Messiah to be cursed in the first place.
Pontius Pilate ordered the crucifixion of Jesus but was later declared a saint by some churches
Anita Durairaj is a woman who lives in India. Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman governor of Judaea and the first to be executed. From 26/27 AD until 36/37 AD, he served as an advisor to Emperor Tiberius. Pilate is well remembered for ordering the crucifixion of Jesus, which is the most famous act of his life. There are a variety of materials that may be used to learn about Pilate’s life and personality, including the Bible, publications by Jewish authors and historians, and even an old manuscript written by an early Roman historian.
His picture in the New Testament, on the other hand, is gentler, with him shown as a king who is torn between putting Jesus to death and protecting his people.
Pilate has been honoured and even designated a saint in several denominations, notably the Ethiopian Church and the Coptic Church, although this has not been the case in all.
Pilate is said to have become a Christian after witnessing several miracles that happened following Jesus’ resurrection, according to Christian tradition.
It’s worth noting that Pilate’s wife is also revered as a saint in the Russian, Greek, and Coptic churches, among other places.
She has a special day set aside for herself. Only the Coptic Church and the Ethiopian Church venerate Pilate, which is a crucial distinction to make. Western churches do not recognize him to the same degree that he is recognized in the eastern faiths.