Pilate, Pontius
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Pilate, Pontius in the Bible?
Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman prefect of the province of Judea, serving from approximately 26 to 36 AD. His nomen, Pontius, indicates membership in the plebeian gens Pontia, while the cognomen Pilate may derive from the Latin pilum (javelin) or the Greek pilatos (one who throws javelins).
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Pilate's historical role as a Roman administrator clarifies the political dynamics of the trial narratives in the Gospels, illustrating how local religious tensions intersected with imperial judicial authority to result in the execution of Jesus by crucifixion, a punishment reserved for rebels and slaves.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.