Roger cailloiss novel pontius pilate is a compeling look at the dilemma that pontius pilate, procurator of judea, may have faced in making the decision. Pontius pilate, roman prefect governor of judaea who presided at the trial of jesus and gave the order for his crucifixion. I believe in jesus christ, his only son, our lord, who was conceived by the holy. And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to pontius pilate the governor.
The most detailed record of the life and death of jesus comes from the four gospels and other new testament writings. This historic letter written by pontius pilate to tiberius caesar letter is from the archko volume containing manuscripts, in constantinople, and the records of the senatorial docket, taken from the. Pontius pilate was the governor at the time john the baptist was preaching baptism. Pontius pilates wife, claudia, is only mentioned once in the new testament, in matthew 27. If you interested in the redemptive meaning of rome, the roman pontius pilate, and the roman cross of execution in the redemption of man by a jewish messiah, please see my book the eternal city. Pontius pilate is mentioned in all four christian gospels. This biography provides detailed information on his childhood, life, activities and timeline.
Pontius pilate by paul meier is a meticulously researched novel. Pilate, not wanting to have the responsibility, sent him to herod, but herod sent him back. Pontius pilate biography childhood, life achievements. Shortly afterwards, french writer roger caillois wrote a novel pontius pilate 1936, in which pilate acquits jesus. The legend of pilatus this legend is central in the story surrounding pursuit. But paul maier presents a compelling historical fiction of pontius pilate, weaving his fiction in while staying true to actual facts known about pilate. To the most mighty, venerable, awful, most divine, the august,pilatus pontius, the governor of the east. Ancient caesarea aqueduct photo click to enlarge pontius pilate, prefect of judea 2636 a. British dictionary definitions for pontius pilate 2 of 2 pilate. Pontius pilates name is in the creeds because it anchors the life of christ into human history, specifically roman history. When jesus was taken captive, he was taken before pontius pilate, the only person who could authorize a death sentence for jesus. And, like every kid, i thought his name was pontius pilot and imagined a guy flying around in a fighter plane. Copies are in the congressional library in washington, d. But paul maier presents a compelling historical fiction of pontius pilate, weaving his fiction in.
This came back to me recently when i ran across a reference to pilate as an accidental prophet. Pontius pilate and the swiss mountain jim murdoch author. However, very little of the man is known besides his arbitration of. The epistle of pontius pilate, which he wrote to the roman emperor concerning our lord jesus christ. Although pilate is sometimes understood as having been weak or vacillating, an early church tradition that had a favorable opinion of him has persisted in some churches. Archaeologists identify lost jerusalem street built by.
He is best known today for being the official who presided over the trial of jesus and ordered his crucifixion. Historic letter written by pontius pilate to tiberius caesar. Upon jesus christ, whom i fully made known to thee in my last, a bitter punishment hath at length been inflicted by the will of the people, although i was unwilling and apprehensive. With what impression of pontius pilate did you pick up james millss book. Pontius pilate was the fifth governor of the roman province of judaea, serving under emperor. Bronze leptons of pontius pilate, prefect governor of judaea from 26 to 36 ad. Paul maiers book, pontius pilate, is a masterpiece of historical fiction heavy emphasis on the historical. Pontius pilate is the most fascinating character in the bible. And they cried out the more exceedingly, crucify him. There is, in consequence, something of a houdini performance about a thick book on phantom pilate. Pontius pilate was the fifth governor of the roman province of judaea, serving under emperor tiberius from 2627 to 3637 ce. Be the first to ask a question about pontius pilate. It may also have been a family name linked to the ancient roman province of pontus in asia minor at the eastern end of the black sea. Presided over the trial of jesus christ and ordered his crucifixion.
The tendency to minimize the guilt of pilate which is found in the gospel according to peter shows the keen interest with which ancient christianity regarded his person. These thirtythree short letters are represented as written by pilate to seneca between the years 26 and 30. Pontius pilates wife is the unnamed spouse of pontius pilate, who appears only once in the gospel of matthew, where she intercedes with pilate on jesus behalf. Pontius pilate is where the classical world meets the biblical, a pagan european man in the monotheistic middle east, the imperial governor over a notoriously rebellious region, and a player in perhaps the most famous execution in history. Until 1961, there was no concrete archaeological evidence that pontius pilate, the fifth governor of judaea, ever existed. He sent a report to the roman emperor tiberius caesar of the events that took place regarding jesus christ. Pilates importance in modern christianity is underscored by his prominent place in both the apostles and nicene creeds. The letters of pontius pilate and herod concerning jesus.
The title gospel of nicodemus is medieval in origin. Devastating thunderstorms appeared as soon as ripples were made in the waters. A few years ago i visited a wonderful little museum of russian icons in clinton, massachusetts. I give thee charge in the sight of god, who quickeneth all things, and before christ jesus, who before pontius pilate witnessed a good confession. If one is searching for a single book that explores the historical realities of pilate, his term as prefect of judea, and the trial of jesus, this is that one book. The letter from pontius pilate to tiberius caesar this is a reprinting of a letter from pontius pilate to tiberius caesar describing the physical appearance of jesus. Pontius pilate shows us what happens when the historical and the. Pontius is a variant on the latin word pons, meaning bridge. This is an interesting post in that it gets readers to consider the whole narrative and pilates role within in that entire narrative. Of course we all know of pontius pilate and his sordid role in the passion of christ. Roger cailloiss novel pontius pilate is a compeling look at the dilemma that pontius pilate, procurator of judea, may have faced in making the decision to execute jesus. Only the roman governor could condemn a man to death, but pontius pilate was reluctant to pass sentence on jesus and so sent him to herod antipas, who ruled galilee, jesus home territory. Pontius pilate is not, as the dust jacket suggests, a biography of pilate, about whom precious little is known.
Pontius pilate king will call shall ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people. Pontius pilate describing the physical appearance of jesus. Archaeological evidence of pontius pilate corroborates gospel. Although pilate is sometimes understood as having been weak or vacillating, an early church tradition that had a favorable opinion. If you thought you knew all there is to know about pontius pilate and jesus, this little book has some surprises for you. All kjv books old testament only new testament only apocrypha only. While the editor represents them as genuine, it is soon clear that this is simply a thin disguise for a purely imaginative sketch of pilates experiences and moods during the opening years of his government of judea. In later tradition, she becomes known as procula latin. It is engagingly written from pontius pilates vantage point, starting with pilates political life in rome and appointment as prefect in judea ad 26 and continuing through the murder of jesus 33 by maiers calculation, which is feasible though many scholars prefer 30, death of tiberius 37, assassination of caligula 41. This was such a useful book for me to read, because i know so little about roman and jewish culture in the 1st century. Pontius pilate was the fifth prefect of the roman province of judaea and presided over the trial of jesus.
This page shares what we know about her from the scriptures. Pontius pilate was a roman governor under the emperor of tiberius in the 1st century. One detail that caught my eye and intrigued me was a depiction of pontius pilate with a halo. Pontius pilate was a roman governor under the emperor of. Archaeologists have identified a grand street in jerusalem that was built by pontius pilate, the roman prefect of judea who is famous for overseeing the trial and crucifixion of jesus the nearly. The horrific dream of the wife of pontius pilate about. Bible scriptures mentioning pontius pilate bible history. The prominent position occupied by pontius pilate in early christian thought is further evidenced by the gospel of nicodemus. The gospel of nicodemus, also known as the acts of pilate latin. Pontius pilate was the roman prefect of judaea approx. Pontius pilate, and the infamous trial he presided over, have become the stuff not only of legend, but of historical reconstructions and speculations ranging from the ingenious to the absurd, but. The main historical sources about the life of pontius pilate were. It is uncertain whether pilate was actually married, although it is likely.
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