Pilate Pilate was the Roman governor of the district of Judas during the time of Jesus' ministry. When the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus, they had to appeal to Pilate in order to have Jesus put to death. Pilate examined the charges against Jesus and declared him to be innocent; but the Jews rejected Pilate's decision. They didn't want Barabbas, a real troublemaker, executed - they wanted Jesus killed. Finally Pilate made a public display of "washing his hands" of the matter. He refused to accept responsibility and forced the Jewish leaders to accept the guilt for murdering Jesus. Then he handed Jesus over to the Roman soldiers for execution. Pilate wants to free Jesus, but he is pressured
into condemning him to death as the Jewish leaders demand. |