Atomic Bible

Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial

Pilate

Named in 53 verses across 6 books, first in Matthew 27:2.

ΠιλᾶτοςPilate

ΠόντιοςPontius

Also called Pontius.

The name means “armed with a dart.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

About Pilate Written by AI

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea during the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion (Luke 3:1). He is most known for his role in the trial and execution of Jesus, as recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19). When Jesus was brought before Pilate by the Jewish leaders, who accused him of claiming to be the king of the Jews, Pilate questioned Jesus and found no fault in him (John 18:29 to 38). However, faced with the insistence of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate ultimately gave in to their demands and ordered Jesus to be crucified (Matthew 27:24; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24; John 19:16). Pilate is portrayed as a reluctant participant in Jesus' death, attempting to release him but ultimately succumbing to political pressure (John 19:12). He is also depicted as a somewhat cynical and world-weary figure, as seen in his famous question to Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Pilate's involvement in Jesus' crucifixion is also mentioned in the Book of Acts, where the early Christian leaders affirm that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Acts 3:13). In 1 Timothy 6:13, Paul refers to Jesus' good confession before Pontius Pilate.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Matthew 27:2

    They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

  2. Matthew 27:13

    Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?”

  3. Matthew 27:17

    So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

  4. Matthew 27:22

    “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

  5. Matthew 27:24

    When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

  6. Matthew 27:58

    He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

  7. Matthew 27:62

    The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate.

  8. Matthew 27:65

    “You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

  9. Mark 15:1

    Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate.

  10. Mark 15:2

    So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

  11. Mark 15:4

    Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!”

  12. Mark 15:5

    But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.

  13. Mark 15:9

    “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked.

  14. Mark 15:12

    So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”

  15. Mark 15:14

    “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

  16. Mark 15:15

    And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

  17. Mark 15:43

    Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

  18. Mark 15:44

    Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so.

  19. Luke 3:1

    In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

  20. Luke 13:1

    At that time some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

  21. Luke 23:1

    Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.

  22. Luke 23:3

    So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

  23. Luke 23:4

    Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

  24. Luke 23:6

    When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

  25. Luke 23:11

    And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.

  26. Luke 23:12

    That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

  27. Luke 23:13

    Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

  28. Luke 23:20

    Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,

  29. Luke 23:24

    So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.

  30. Luke 23:52

    He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

  31. John 18:29

    So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?”

  32. John 18:31

    “You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied.

  33. John 18:33

    Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

  34. John 18:35

    “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?”

  35. John 18:37

    “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

  36. John 18:38

    “What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

  37. John 19:1

    Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.

  38. John 19:4

    Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

  39. John 19:6

    As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

  40. John 19:8

    When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid,

And 13 more

John 19:10, 19:12, 19:13, 19:15, 19:19, 19:21, 19:22, 19:31, 19:38

Acts 3:13, 4:27, 13:28

1 Timothy 6:13

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.