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Brutal tyrant or reluctant judge? Pilate’s encounter with Christ exposes the cost of power, fear, and placating the crowd.
We know the man, and we know his name. He is infamous for his contributions to Jesus’ suffering and death.
Though his name is immortalized through the recitation of the Creed each Sunday, Pontius Pilate’s life as a whole is largely overlooked by Catholics. Certainly, it is enough to know the role he played in Jesus’ crucifixion, but understanding the man behind the name “Pontius Pilate” gives the Roman governor a deeper dimension. What was his background? How did he rise to power? Was he a brutal dictator or a weak-willed leader as he is depicted in the Gospels? And what happened to him after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection?
Pilate’s life was no rags-to-riches story but one of privilege. He began his career as a Roman equestrian (or knight), a status that, between 27 B.C. and A.D. 14, Caesar Augustus reserved for men of free birth, good health and character, and substantial wealth. In addition to being well-suited for war, equestrians would have had something of a business background and access to public finances, allowing them to climb a career ladder to imperial positions. Like any successful career man, Pilate probably rose to power through a mix of good career moves and popularity. He was named prefect of Judaea by one of Emperor Tiberius’ favorites, Lucius Aelius Sejanus.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
We know the man, and we know his name. He is infamous for his contributions to Jesus’ suffering and death.
Though his name is immortalized through the recitation of the Creed each Sunday, Pontius Pilate’s life as a whole is largely overlooked by Catholics. Certainly, it is enough to know the role he played in Jesus’ crucifixion, but understanding the man behind the name “Pontius Pilate” gives the Roman governor a deeper dimension. What was his background? How did he rise to power? Was he a brutal dictator or a weak-willed leader as he is depicted in the Gospels? And what happened to him after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection?
Pilate’s life was no rags-to-riches story but one of privilege. He began his career as a Roman equestrian (or knight), a status that, between 27 B.C. and A.D. 14, Caesar Augustus reserved for men of free birth, good health and character, and substantial wealth. In addition to being well-suited for war, equestrians would have had something of a business background and access to public finances, allowing them to climb a career ladder to imperial positions. Like any successful career man, Pilate probably rose to power through a mix of good career moves and popularity. He was named prefect of Judaea by one of Emperor Tiberius’ favorites, Lucius Aelius Sejanus.
Continued below.
Who Was Pontius Pilate?
Brutal tyrant or reluctant judge? Pilate’s encounter with Christ exposes the cost of power, fear, and placating the crowd.
