Pontius Pilate

the one who washed his hands

Who was Pontius Pilate?

He was the Roman governor of Judea in the time of Jesus. Luke 3:1
He questioned Jesus and said that he found no guilt in him. John 18:33, 38
In the end he handed Jesus over to be crucified. John 19:16; Mark 15:15

Occupation: Roman governor of Judea Luke 3:1; Matthew 27:2

What the Bible says

Luke 3:1

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea, and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina;

John 18:33, 38

³³Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews? ³⁸Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him.

John 19:16; Mark 15:15

Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Pontius Pilate

Before Jesus. He governed Judea for Rome, in the time of the emperor Tiberius. Luke 3:1
With Jesus. At dawn, the chief priests and the whole council bound Jesus and handed him over to Pilate. Mark 15:1
With Jesus. He asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered that his kingdom does not belong to this world. John 18:33, 36
With Jesus. Several times he said he found no crime in him. Luke 23:4, 14, 22
With Jesus. He offered to release Jesus for the Passover. The chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask for Barabbas. Matthew 27:15-21
With Jesus. He washed his hands in front of the crowd and said he was innocent of the blood of this just man. Matthew 27:24
With Jesus. To please the crowd, he released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and handed him over to be crucified. Mark 15:15
Afterward. He gave the body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathea, after asking the centurion whether Jesus had already died. Mark 15:43-45

Words of Pontius Pilate

“What is truth?” John 18:38

When Jesus told him he had come to bear witness to the truth.

“I find no cause in him.” Luke 23:4

To the chief priests and the crowd, after questioning Jesus.

“Behold the man.” John 19:5

When he brought Jesus out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.

“I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look you to it.” Matthew 27:24

As he washed his hands in front of the crowd.

“What I have written, I have written.” John 19:22

When the chief priests asked him to change the sign on the cross.

What they were like

He questioned Jesus more than once, alone. John 18:33-38; John 19:9-10
He was amazed that Jesus did not answer the charges. Matthew 27:14
He became more afraid when he heard that Jesus called himself the Son of God. John 19:7-8

What he recognized

Three times he said Jesus was not guilty. Luke 23:4, 14, 22
He allowed Joseph of Arimathea to bury the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43-45

Not to be confused with

Herod Antipas ruled Galilee; Pilate ruled Judea. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, and Herod sent him back. Luke 3:1; Luke 23:7, 11

What people ask

Why did they bring Jesus to Pilate?

Those who accused Jesus said they were not allowed to put anyone to death. That was up to the Roman governor. John 18:31; Catechism 596

Did Pilate want to release Jesus?

The Gospels say he found no crime in him and wanted to release him. In the end, to please the crowd, he handed him over. Luke 23:20-22; Mark 15:15

Why did he wash his hands?

To declare in front of everyone that he was not guilty of the blood of this just man. The NAB note recalls a similar rite in the law of Moses. Matthew 27:24; NAB note on Mt 27, 24-25; Deuteronomy 21:6-7

Who was to blame for the death of Jesus?

The Church teaches that the Jewish people as a whole cannot be blamed. And that all of us sinners share in the Passion. Catechism 597; Catechism 598

Why is Pilate named in the Creed?

The Creed says Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” This tells us when it happened: at a real moment in history. Apostles’ Creed; Catechism 423

What he did He knew they had handed Jesus over out of envy, and still he did not release him. Matthew 27:18, 26 To please the crowd, he released Barabbas…

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Who Pontius Pilate is connected to

Jesus · judged him
Joseph of Arimathea · gave him the body of Jesus
Caiaphas · from his house to the praetorium

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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