Why Did Pontius Pilate Have Jesus Executed?

History.com ^ | 3/27/23 | Christopher Klein

[DallasBiff]

In the Gospel of John, Pontius Pilate poses a question to Jesus of Nazareth: “What is truth?”

It’s a question that could also be asked about Pilate’s own history. From the perspective of the New Testament of the Christian Bible, the Roman governor of Judea was a wavering judge who initially exonerated Jesus before bending to the will of the crowd and condemning him to death. By contrast, non-Biblical sources portray him as a barbarous leader who willfully defied the traditions of the Jewish people he oversaw. Which was the truth?

[DallasBiff]

Okay very controversial, modern writings portray Pilot, as a sympathetic figure, a Roman figurehead, in podunk nowhere, who succummbed to the mob, the Catholic Church condemns him in every service.

Mods pull at your discretion.

[central_va]

He invented some good exercise machines.

[Jim W N]

Why Did Pontius Pilate Have Jesus Executed?

Politics.

Why did the Jews have Jesus executed?

Envy (Matt. 27:18).

[dfwgator]

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name

[gibsonguy]

+1

[Oberon]

Because Rome had put him there specifically to keep a lid on Judea, and he'd already blown it one time. This Jesus was causing crowds to gather, the priesthood was outraged over him, and everybody was jumpy. Letting him live was a risk Pilate wasn't about to take.

Also, destiny. Someone was going to do it--it had been prophesied--and in the great eternal lottery Pilate drew the short straw.

[Yo-Yo]

Jesus died for our sins.

Jesus had to die, in order to die for our sins.

Therefore Pontius Pilate had no choice in the matter, it was preordained by God that his only begotten son, Jesus, would die for our sins.

[Beowulf9]

As I understand it, he was under pressure by the mob yelling he would be no friend of Caesar and afraid for his position he had him crucified.

[NorthMountain]

the Catholic Church condemns him in every service

Hmmm ...

He is one of two human persons mentioned in the Nicene Creed

...
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
...

Is that a condemnation, or a simple historical statement? Perhaps that's a matter of interpretation ...

[nickcarraway]

Wasn’t this already predicted?

[Beowulf9]

This was a good article, short.

https://billygraham.org/answer/why-did-pontius-pilate-turn-on-jesus/

[SunkenCiv]

The rest of the Pontius/Pilate keywords, sorted, duplicates out, some modern detritus left in:

• Saint Pontius Pilate {in the Coptic and Ethiopian church} [04/01/2022]
• Historic Letter Written by Pontus Pilate to Tiberius Caesar? [02/06/2021]
• It was the Rioting Mob that Crucified Jesus [11/24/2020]
• Archaeologists Identify 'Lost' Jerusalem Street Built by Pontius Pilate... [tr] [11/02/2019]
• "Quid est veritas?" What is the truth about Pontius Pilate? [04/20/2019]
• Sodom, Pontius Pilate, and archaeology [12/28/2018]
• 2000-Year-Old Ring Uncovered in Ancient Jewish Ritual Bath in Old City of Jerusalem [12/28/2018]
• Archaeologists Discover Pontius Pilate Reference On Ancient Ring [12/26/2018]
• Misplaced 2,000-year-old ring discovered in Jerusalem's City of David [12/26/2018]
• Bronze ring found in ancient fortress near Bethlehem may have belonged to Pontius Pilate [12/02/2018]
• Ring of Pontius Pilate, who ordered Jesus Christ's crucifixion, discovered near Bethlehem [12/02/2018]
• Pontius Pilate's ring discovered from site near Bethlehem [11/29/2018]
• [Catholic Caucus] Feeling sympathetic to Judas and Pontius Pilate? Not so fast. [05/17/2018]
• Who sent the dream to the wife of Pontius Pilate? [03/31/2018]
• Who Killed Jesus? The Historical Context of Jesus' Crucifixion [03/11/2018]
• Pontius Pilate Has Reappeared In Venezuela [Catholic Caucus] [05/11/2017]
• "Quid est veritas?" What is the truth about Pontius Pilate? [04/17/2017]
• Ancient Inscription Identifies Gargilius Antiques as Roman Ruler on Eve of Bar Kochva Revolt [12/02/2016]
• Did Judas and Pontius Pilate End up in Hell? [11/05/2016]
• The Problems of Priest Politicians, The Urgency of Lay Leadership [09/11/2016]
• Sen. Tom Cotton: 'Kerry Acted Like Pontius Pilate' On Iran Side Deals [07/23/2015]
• Pontius Pilate (VANITY) [04/06/2015]
• Discovery of site of Jesus' trial creates dilemma for pilgrims [01/19/2015]
• Possible site of Jesus' trial uncovered in the Holy Land [01/05/2015]
• Have archaeologists discovered where Jesus was sentenced to death? [01/05/2015]
• Archaeologists find possible site of Jesus's trial in Jerusalem [01/04/2015]
• "Pontius Pilate-ing" In the "Age of Obama": Who, Really, Won the Cold War? [04/19/2014]
• You Have to Decide About Jesus, one way or the other- A Meditation on the Trial Before Pilate [04/17/2014]
• Pontius Pilate should have listened to his wife [04/14/2014]
• History of Pontius Pilate: his background before Good Friday [04/09/2014]
• Israeli settlers' archaeology tourism challenges Palestinian history [01/31/2014]
• Brad Pitt Playing Pontius Pilate? [01/08/2013]
• Americans, the Crucified [08/19/2011]
• Easter Devotional Day 6 (Friday) - Jesus' trial before Pilate [04/22/2011]
• Inscriptions found in ancient Pompeipolis city in Turkey [08/23/2010]
• Why I commuted Maurice Clemmons's sentence [12/08/2009]
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• Jesus was a community organizer? [09/12/2008]
• Jesus Christ Was NOT a Community Organizer! [09/12/2008]
• Cuneiform clay tablet translated for the first time [04/04/2008]
• Researchers: Asteroid Destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah [03/31/2008]
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• Catholic Bishop compares Giuliani to Pontius Pilate [06/05/2007]
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• Story about old, old story an old story [04/16/2006]
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• Jeb Bush won't feel impact from Schiavo [03/31/2005]
• 2000 Years Later, We Still Kill the Innocent [03/31/2005]
• Live Thread: President's Remarks on Terri's Death [03/31/2005]
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• TOO BAD JEB BUSH DOESN'T KNOW REAGAN'S SECRETby Dr. R. L. Hymers, Jr. [03/31/2005]
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• GWB HAS NOT FORSAKEN TERRI- YOU DO HIM WRONG! [03/29/2005]
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• Polls Determined Actions in Schiavo Case [03/28/2005]
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• Follow the Constitution Gov. Bush: Grant Clemency to Terri Schiavo [03/28/2005]
• Jeb Bush: I'd love to help, but I can't [03/28/2005]
• If Judge Greer ordered that it was lawful for you to beat your wife would Jeb step in? [03/27/2005]
• Gov. Bush Washes Hands of Schiavo Matter (It's humor people!) [03/27/2005]
• Gov. Bush: I can't help Terri Schiavo [03/27/2005]
• BUSH 2004 ELECTOR WILL NOT SUPPORT JEB BUSH FOR PRESIDENT!!! [03/27/2005]
• DEMONSTRATOR : " BARBARA BUSH ARE YOU PROUD OF YOUR SONS NOW ? " (Terri Schavio case) [03/27/2005]
• Gov. Bush: I can't help Terri Schiavo [03/27/2005]
• Why is it easier to stand up to Saddam than to George Greer? [03/26/2005]
• Prosecutor Reaffirms Governor's Authority Under State Criminal Laws to Prevent Death of Schiavo [03/26/2005]
• Former Adviser Presses Gov. Bush to Launch Criminal Investigation to Save Schiavo [03/26/2005]
• Report: Jeb Sent Agents to Rescue Terri [03/26/2005]
• Lawyers say Gov. Bush can intervene [03/26/2005]
• Alan Keyes Says Bush Must ACT NOW!! [03/26/2005]
• If you think there'll be a corruption probe after Terri's death, stop dreaming [03/25/2005]
• Terri Schiavo's Parents Renew Call for Governor Jeb Bush to Help [03/25/2005]
• Former Adviser Presses Gov. Bush to Launch Criminal Investigation to Save Schiavo [03/25/2005]
• Schindlers accuse Jeb of torture [03/25/2005]
• Gov. Jeb Bush Must Do More, Terri's Advocates Say [03/25/2005]
• Jeb Bush not likely to to ride to rescue [03/25/2005]
• JEB BUSH ON TERRI'S LAST DAYS [03/25/2005]
• Greer Frees Barabas! [03/25/2005]
• Easter in Florida [03/25/2005]
• Jeb Bush Not Likely to Ride to Rescue [Terri Schindler-Schiavo] [03/24/2005]
• In a Polarizing Case, Jeb Bush Cements His Political Stature [03/24/2005]
• Thomas More Law Center Response to Jeb Bush Request for Opinion on Schiavo Case supplied 10/15 2003 [03/24/2005]
• Fla. judge won't hear Schiavo arguments [03/24/2005]
• Judge Refuses to Give Gov. Bush Custody of Terri Schiavo [03/24/2005]
• *BREAKING* JUDGE Whittemore to Rule or Overrule Judge Greer at 6:00PM [03/24/2005]
• An Open Letter to Governor Jeb Bush [03/24/2005]
• STATE TOLD NOT TO ENFORCE LAW PROTECTING TERRI SCHIAVO [03/24/2005]
• Jeb Bush urged to intervene immediately: [03/24/2005]
• Quiet Judge Persists In Schiavo Maelstrom (In-Depth Article About Judge Greer) [03/24/2005]
• Five Briefs Say Gov. Bush Has the Legal Authority to Save Terri Schiavo [03/24/2005]
• Keyes: 'Jeb Bush has the authority' to save Terri [03/24/2005]
• Pontius Pilate & Jeb Bush [02/23/2005]
• Choosing Barrabas (How everything you think you know about Pontius Pilate is wrong.) [04/07/2004]
• Pilate is by far the greater villian [04/04/2004]
• Jesus' Final Days, take 2: Pilate is the bad guy [03/08/2004]
• Joseph Farah Examines "Persecution" of Christians in United States [10/10/2003]
• [what is truth?] [what would today's world tell Pilate] [04/11/2003]
• After fire, officials scramble for reforms(Family killed in by drug dealers, thank you Libertarians) [10/22/2002]

[EnderWiggin1970]

All of us have enough variation in our behavior that there is no contradiction between the two views we have of Pilate. He could be a barbaric, cruel, imperious leader on one day. And on another day he could adopt a more conciliatory stance that gave in to the whims of the mob (especially where doing so backed the presumptive Roman goal of getting rid of another potential rebel leader). If he had just been a consistent hard-a** he would have just experienced the rebellion of 66-70 AD a generation earlier.

[Dutch Boy]

That is my understanding too. I heard that explanation a long time ago and it stuck as being the perfect answer.

[fruser1]

I never saw it as a sympathetic portrayal, even though it’s certainly less evil than “I want to crucify you because I just love to see suffering”.

It’s a politician making the morally wrong choice at the behest of an angry mob because he only really cares about the politics of it and doesn’t give a crap who dies in the process.

That deserves no sympathy then or now.

p.s. I also always believed that since the crucifixion was
God’s plan, there was no reason to hold anger against those implementing it.

The ultimate purpose was to bring about the Advent - the forgiveness of sins and the descent of the Holy Spirit into the world.

If you think that’s a bad thing, then I guess I can see why you’d hold a grudge against Pilate and the Jews.

[Karliner]

Jesus willingly went to the cross as a sacrificial lamb for the atonement of sins both Jew and Gentile.

This had to happen. Maybe we’ll see Barabas, Pilate and his wife...Nebuchadnezzar, get to see Paul breaking bread with those he terrorized.

[gundog]

Someone was going to do it....

[Ikeon]

he was a politician. he didnt want to risk a jew uprising. Jesus was a nobody to him. It was easier to let him die than be sent to rome to answer for a jewsih uprising. Just another day at the office for a roman politcian.

[Ikeon]

he was a politician. he didnt want to risk a jew uprising. Jesus was a nobody to him. It was easier to let him die than be sent to rome to answer for a jewsih uprising.

[circlecity]

Sejanus was the head of the praetorian guard who was essentially running Rome while Tiberius Caesar was in Capri. Sejanus appointed Pilate. Sejanus was plotting a coup against Tiberius. Tiberius discovered this and had Sejanus executed. Thus, all of Sejanus’ men, including Pilate, were in a very precarious position. Pilate could not afford a major uprising in Jerusalem which might draw Tiberius’ attention and wrath. Thus, Pilate gave in to the crowd to keep the peace, despite knowing Jesus was innocent of anything which deserved execution.