Articles
Person Of The Week: Pontius Pilate
The Jewish historian Philo described Pilate as “by nature rigid and stubbornly harsh” and “of spiteful disposition and an exceeding wrathful man” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 940). Both Philo and Josephus describe various acts of callous provocation of the Jews by Pilate, who seemed to have little understanding of the Jews and how to govern them.
Perhaps the most telling summation of this governor’s character is that of Jesus: “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). That is, God’s providence had enabled Pilate to be over the Jews at this time specifically because God knew he lacked the integrity to do the right thing and release Jesus as any competent and just ruler should have done. Thus the Potter uses the clay as He sees fit. Pilate had a choice, but God knew what he would choose.
People sometimes make decisions based on what is in their best interest, but people who are principled do what is right and courageously accept the consequences. Pilate is the quintessential example of the former, and Jesus exemplifies the latter. “But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (I Pet. 2:20).
