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Pilate

Pilate

13 8.7
Roman governor of Judea in the Bible who ordered Jesus to be killed on a cross
  • proper noun
  • /ˈpaɪlət/
: Poncio Pilato
  • It was here where Jesus was publicly charged and condemned to death by Pontius Pilate.
  • Pontius Pilate
  • Pilate condemned Jesus
  • Christ before Pilate

And when you read it in the Greek, it says Pilate then handed him over to them to be crucified to the chief priests and scribes.

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Examples

  • The next stop on the itinerary is likely to be the place where Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In the Gospels, as you'll remember, Pontius Pilate washes his hands.

  • When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid.

  • In the Bible, Pilate said, 'What is written is written.'

    Academic text (2001)
  • But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

  • Hearing Jesus comes from Galilee, Pilate wants his blood on my hands.

  • Little does Pilate know, Barabbas is one of our own.

  • In the verses from John today, Jesus answers Pilate, saying, "You say that I am king."

    Blog text (13)
  • For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Pontius Pilate was the governor who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Synonyms

Pontius Pilate
vsPilate
7 9.3

A Roman governor in Judea who judged Jesus and allowed his execution on a cross

is the shorter, more common name for the same historical figure

Surface Forms

Pilate main

Etymology

Pilate comes from the Latin name Pilatus, which may come from pilum meaning 'javelin' or 'spear'. A helpful image is a Roman official holding a soldier's spear, and because Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor who handed Jesus over to be judged, the name Pilate now often reminds us of passing responsibility to others.