Overview
Two major controversies surround the “character” of Pontius Pilatus (aka Pilate).
- First, did the man actually exist? After all, the “first name” of Pilate is unknown from anywhere else in antiquity.
- Second, if he actually existed, what was he really like? Josephus and Philo depict Pilate as predominately cruel and strong, which is out of character with his reported behavior in Jesus’ trial scenes as related in the Gospel account.
We’ll tackle these two questions one at a time.
Did Pilate actually exist?
Two archaeological finds directly attest to the historicity of Pontius Pilate as prefect of Judea. In a staircase near the theater at Caesarea Maritima, excavations discovered a monument stone reused as building material that had a dedicatory Latin inscription reading “Tiberium, Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judaea… dedicated.” The inscription, dating between AD 26-36, refers to Pilate as a Roman politician with his name, his title, and a dedication to the reigning Emperor Tiberius.
More recently, a copper-alloy Roman-type ring bearing the name “Pilato” (Pilatus) was discovered in a 1st-century AD archaeological layer from AD 71 or before, in a room with other 1st-century AD artifacts and coins of the time of the First Judean Revolt against Rome. Even though the ring had been discovered in excavations about 50 years earlier at the palace fortress site of Herodium near Bethlehem, it wasn’t until much later, when the ring was finally cleaned that details of the inscription on the ring were seen for the first time. The oval-seal section of the ring is slightly less than one centimeter at its longest point, has an amphora design in the center. Interestingly, the amphora is encircled by six Greek letters that spell PILATO (equivalent to Pilatus in Latin). The ring could also be used as an official seal, because the letters are inscribed so that they would be read left to right in a semicircle on whatever surface that the ring would stamp.
Although Latin was used for most official Roman documents and inscriptions, Greek was preferred in many of the provinces, and it is significant the coins minted by Pontius Pilate in Judea used Greek.
Because the “first name “Pilatus” is of Italian origin and is unknown from any other person in ancient Judea, this ring almost certainly refers to Pontius Pilate the prefect. (Pilatus appears to be a nickname derived from a word for ‘javelin,’ and could be related to his service in the military.) Now for the second question.
What is behind the ‘contradictions’ in Pilate’s behavior?
Pontius Pilatus was appointed fifth prefect of Judaea Province in AD 26. Although Tiberius was emperor at that time, a man named Sejanus, who was commander of the Praetorian Guard, had accumulated so much power and influence that he effectively ruled the Empire. In fact, it may have been Sejanus, rather than Tiberius, who appointed Pilate as prefect of Judaea. This non-standard appointment would later have political ramifications for Pilate relating to the trial of Jesus.
Pilate’s first 10 years in office were turbulent and tempestuous. He experienced at least six significant conflicts with the local population, the last of which resulted in Pilate being recalled from the province in 36 AD. Of these disputes it was written, “the Jews were working to destroy [Pilate’s] reputation and… they sent many denunciations of him to Rome.” Matters were made more complicated for Pilate when Sejanus (Pilate’s patron and protector) was accused of plotting treachery in AD 31 and was subsequently executed without trial. His execution was followed soon after by the arrest and execution of many of his associates. Thus, Pilate may have felt he was on shaky ground, and having once again angered the Judeans he was walking a political tightrope in AD 33 at the time of the trial of Jesus.
Because of his known association with Sejanus, he was in a delicate position that required him to stay in favor with the emperor. Thus, when the Judeans told Pilate if he released Jesus he was no “friend of Caesar,” (Amicus Caesaris) he would have clearly understood it as endangering not only his career but his life. As a result, Pilate acted in his own best interests and submitted to the pressure of the religious leaders.
Summary
The commemorative stone and the signet ring provide concrete evidence for the existence of the man Pontius Pilate. A careful analysis of the political realities of Pilate’s appointment and tenure provide adequate explanation of his departure from his usual demeanor.
