Posted on 12/02/2018 6:55:57 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Researchers have deciphered an ancient inscription on a bronze ring first found 50 years ago pointing to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ordered Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
Haaretz reported that the ring in question was first discovered at the site of Herodion near the West Bank’s Bethlehem by professor Gideon Forster from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, shortly after the Six-Day War in 1968-69.
The owner of the ring had remained a mystery for some 50 years, however, but a recent cleansing and special camera work at the Israel Antiquities Authority labs found Greek writing on the ring, which translates to “Pilatus.”
“Pilatus” is a rare name, and linked to that of Roman governor Pontius Pilate, believed to have ruled Judah between the years 26 to 36. The ring was apparently used as a stamping ring in day to day work, with the governor or one of his officials using it to sign his name.
Previous discoveries surrounding the infamous governor included another find in the 1960s, this time with a stone bearing the name of Pilatus.
In the New Testament of the Bible, a reluctant Pilate is pressured by the demands of the Jewish crowd to order Jesus’ crucifixion.
His agency and role in Jesus' death has been the subject of much theological analysis. Famous North Carolina evangelist Billy Graham, who passed away in February, said back in 2016 that Pilate gave into cultural pressure when he decided to have Christ crucified, despite believing He was innocent.
"Pilate will forever stand as a warning against giving in to the pressure of the crowd and turning our backs on Jesus. And that can happen far more easily than most of us realize," Graham said.
As John 19:12 points out, Pilate feared that if he let Jesus go, he would be accused of going against Caesar, and so allowed the crucifixion in order to save himself.
Christian author Jerry Newcombe, an on-air host/senior producer for D. James Kennedy Ministries, wrote in an op-ed for The Christian Post in March that the "crime" Jesus was accused of that couldn't be forgiven in ancient Rome was claiming to be a king.
“Crucifixion was a horrible way to die. It was so bad that no Roman citizen could be crucified. It was an execution reserved for slaves and bandits. How amazing then that the Son of God become man would allow Himself to be so degraded by people whom He Himself had created,” Newcombe wrote at the time.
“Crucifixion was invented in the Near East and perfected by the Romans. It was not uncommon for a crucified victim to suffer for days. Pontius Pilate was surprised Jesus had died in only a few hours---however, He had been scourged so horribly that He could have bled to death, had He been released after the whipping.”
Seems a bit of a stretch to me. If, at some time in the misty future, someone finds my car with a Trump sticker on it, will it be assumed that the car must have belonged to Trump?
VERY interesting! Thank you! :)
Rod Stieger did a good job as him.
Maybe he lost it when he took it off to wash his hands....
Well, if you, in this lifetime, become Governor of some state and have a ring that you used to put your ‘stamp’ on official papers and such, then, maybe...
But, I don’t think a Trump Bumper Sticker is going to get you into Heaven or Hell, LOL!
Good one! ;)
Thanks for the laugh :-)
Wow. That’s incredible.
Seems like to me a rich guy like Pilate could have afforded a gold ring, or at least silver. Now, a slave, or a minor functionary working for Pilate might be given a bronze ring with his name on it as a token of esteem, or means of identification.
...and sealed his fate (cough).
Pleased to meet you.
Saw something on the tube about a popular archeologist speculating that Pilate was a creature of Sejanus. He made a case for some of his reasoning and I found it interesting.
The difference between Augustus and Tiberius was immense.
Saw something on the tube about a popular archeologist speculating that Pilate was a creature of Sejanus. He made a case for some of his reasoning and I found it interesting.
The difference between Augustus and Tiberius was immense.
Never really paid attention to the words of that song.
First part that really made me look closer was:
“Rode a tank, held a general’s rank”
This is very possibly his ring/seal. But it could be an extra copy used by an administrative assistant on his behalf. I speculate this because Pilate was hauled back to time for being too cruel even by the Empire’s “standards.” Found guilty of oppression and executing people without trial, Pilate reportedly committed suicide in Rome under orders of Emperor Caligula ( himself about as far from a compassionate soul as possible to imagine, ha!). This according to the major church historian Eusebius. So, my guess is Pilate’s ring/ seal is buried somewhere in Rome — but this one in Israel COULD be the one he personally used (and if not, then yes it is almost certainly one he authorized an aide to use on his behalf). Either way, a fascinating find by the Israelis
Hauled back to ROME ...that is... ( to stand trial for his cruelty and oppression, executing people without trials, etc)
Having a stamping ring you weren’t entitled to would probably be like having a tattoo your tribe knew you didn’t earn….the chief might hand you over to the women to scrape the tattoo off with clamshells. Romans were probably more creative about impersonating authorities.
Would of been a “working” ring, for stamping seals and official documents. Could of been more than one—and used by his representative, instead of Pilate himself.
Interestingly, when you think about it, since Jesus’ tomb was sealed by the Romans....could of been with this ring.
Inspired by Bulgakov’s “The Master and Margarita. “
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