Pontius Pilate

[pon-shuhs pahy-luht, -tee-uhs]

noun

1. flourished early 1st century a.d., Roman procurator of Judea a.d. 26–36?: the final authority concerned in the condemnation and execution of Jesus Christ.

Pontius Pilate

/ ˈpɒnʃəs, ˈpɒntɪəs ˈpaɪlət /

noun

1. See Pilate

Pilate, Pontius

1. The governor of the Jews (see also Jews) at the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus; he was an official of the Roman Empire, to which the Jewish nation belonged at that time. According to the Gospels, Pilate did not consider Jesus guilty and wanted to release him. Under pressure from the crowds in Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem), however, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death on the cross, having first washed his hands to indicate his lack of responsibility for Jesus' fate.

Example Sentences

"He cannot do a Pontius Pilate and maintain he cannot interfere because policing is devolved."

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He told Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting.”

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By stark contrast, his persecutors, led by King Herod and Pontius Pilate, wear severe white, floor-length robes and black coats.

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Recall how in 2019, when Trump’s impeachment trial began, some Republican senators drew a parallel between the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate and that of the American president before Congress!

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Tom refuses to stand in their way, and Shiv angrily calls him Pontius Pilate.

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