Apocryphal Christian literature includes several works referring to the Roman procurator of Judea, Pilate of Pontus. One of the characteristics of these writings is the tendency to exaggerate. And amplify the participation of this Roman official in the miracles—passion and Resurrection of Christ. In the context of the conflict between the Roman Empire, Pontius Pilate wrote a letter about Jesus. And the Christians were evident in the first four centuries. The authors of these writings turned Pilate’s attitude into an apologetic weapon. They are presenting it as a manifestation of faith in His deity.
Pontius Pilate wrote a letter about Jesus Christ. Pilate’s report was found in one of the Vatican libraries by a German student in Rome for theological studies. But this student needed to see it necessary enough to copy it. However, as it happened, the former student told an Englishman about it a few years later, who wanted to translate it into English. Nahan W.D. Pontius Pilate crucified Jesus because the people who told him that Jesus committed blasphemy, a capital sin. Thus he was guilty of the death of Jesus.
Pilate was a governor by decree of Emperor Tiberius, who had awarded him the title of Imperium, the supreme power in the province. His brutal way of imposing his will made his subjects dislike him, turning them against him, and their bizarre manner made Pilate hate and defy them.
Did Pontius Pilate write anything about Jesus?
Pilate stands in history as the most excellent unjust judge who consciously condemned the One he declared and found innocent to death. He seems to have had a good grasp of Roman law and was willing to apply it. But faced with the great test of life, Pilate gets it wrong. And he errs not from ignorance but from weakness, fear, and bad planning. It was a conflict between conscience and career, the alternative of satisfying either the hateful Jews or the Caesar he feared.
According to the apocryphal documents, Pontius Pilate wrote a letter about Jesus, which he sent to Emperor Caesar. Pilate, the governor of Judea, writes the report. To Tiberius, the emperor of the Roman Empire, immediately after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The causes which caused that disturbance in Jerusalem were in connection with Jesus of Nazareth. And the events which took place in my province a few days ago were of such a character. As to cause me to report them to you in detail, please don’t hesitate to let me know. For I shall not be surprised if, in the lapse of this time, the fate of our nation is not altogether changed. For it appears that the gods have ceased to be atonable in the latter days. I, for my part, am ready to say: cursed be that day I followed Valerius Gratius in governing Judea.
What did Pontius Pilate say about Jesus?
Of all Jesus’ interlocutors in the passion scenes, Pilate had the most dialogue with him. John records this dialogue. Faced with the surprise of the people’s choice to release Barabbas, Pilate formulates a question whose answer was expressed in a very different way by each of the participants in these scenes: What shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?
Everything Pilate said about Jesus can be found in his writings. But among Pilate’s famous words about Jesus is the expression, “Truly Jesus is King in Heaven!” He also said: At first, I feared that this might be some agitator stirring up the people against the Romans, but it wasn’t long before my fears were dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke more as a friend of the Romans than the Jews.
Passing one day by the place called Sloan, I saw a great assembly of people, and in the midst of it, a young man leaning against a tree and serenely and calmly preaching to the crowd. I was told it was Jesus.
How did Pontius describe Jesus at the looks?
Also known as the Little Apocrypha of Pilate, this writing is frequently found in manuscripts as a continuation of the Acts of Pilate. It represents a later work, which is remembered to be written after the middle of the 5th century. It is also found in the manuscripts with the Paradosis, the earliest form of the legend that presents the life of Pila after the Resurrection of Christ. Correspondence consists of Pontius Pilate letter about Jesus and Pilate’s reply to the Emperor.
According to Pilate’s writings, Jesus looked very different from his disciples: It was just what I expected to see, so significant was the difference between him and his listeners. His golden hair and beard gave him a heavenly appearance, and he looked about 30 years old. I have never seen such a serene and sweet look, a striking contrast between Him and His followers, with their black beards and dark faces.
They may have had a particular curiosity and admiration for Him and considered Him without seeing Him as a great Jewish teacher. To Pilate, Jesus was not a dangerous agitator. With his approval, the guard led by a tribune did not have to intervene when He was arrested.
Did Pilate want to crucify Jesus?
He also said that: when I arrived and entered the courtroom. I found Naulius, who told me the words he had heard from Jesus at Sloan. He said, “I have never read books or the works of philosophers. Anything like the preaching of Jesus. One of the rebellious Jews, of whom there are so many in Jerusalem. I asked him if he was about to give tribute to Caesar. And Jesus replied, ‘Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and God what is due to God.’ Because of his wisdom, I allowed the Nazarene to go free. For it was in my power to arrest him and send him to the Praetorium. But this would have been against the justice that has always characterized the Romans.
Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus. He claimed that Jesus was innocent and neither biased nor rebellious.
He said to the Pharisees and scribes: You are the viper’s prey; you are like the tombs of the vipers. At other times, indignant at their conceited posturing and gifts of the rich, he told them that “two pennies of a poor widow are more precious in the sight of God” than their rich gifts. Every day complaints were made to the courtroom against the abuses of the wealthy Jews. We were informed that some misfortune would befall this man, for it would not be the first time that Jerusalem had stoned those who were called prophets by them to death. And if the Praetorium refuses their complaint, they will appeal to Caesar.
Key Verse related to Pontius Pilate
Pilate, therefore, said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this case, I was born, and for this cause, I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, saying, “I find no fault in Him at all.
Why did Pilate have Jesus crucified?
Pilate mentioned that “one day Herod came to me in the Praetorium. After a few meaningless words, he asked me what I thought of Jesus of Nazareth when he left. I told him that, in my opinion, Jesus is a great philosopher, as some great nations often produce. And that his teachings by no means can be counted sinful or dangerous. And that Rome is willing to allow him all freedom of speech and is justified by his deeds. Herod smiled, using me with feigned respect, and turned away.”
Pilate crucified Jesus out of fear of very rebellious people. He also wanted to free Jesus from death and to please the people. According to Luke, he declared Jesus innocent four times, and according to Matthew, he called Jesus righteous twice. Pilate tried to dodge the trial and sent him to Herod. But he ordered the scourging of Jesus. And in the end, he couldn’t or wouldn’t resolve the dilemma between justice and pressure from the people and, washing his hands of it, gave Jesus up to be crucified.
