Pilate’s story is told in Matthew 27:11-26; Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:17

Pontius Pilate: The Man Who Tried to Wash Away Responsibility

Pontius Pilate is a name many people recognize from the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. He was the Roman governor who had the power to set Jesus free—but instead, he allowed Him to be crucified. Even though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he gave in to pressure from the crowd.

Let’s take a closer look at who Pilate was, what he did, and what we can learn from his choices.

Who Was Pontius Pilate?

Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea during the time of Jesus. His job was to keep peace, collect taxes, and enforce Roman law. He had the authority to judge serious cases, including deciding who would live or die.

Pilate wasn’t a religious leader. He didn’t follow the Jewish laws or traditions. He represented the power of Rome in the land of Israel.

Pilate Meets Jesus

One day, the Jewish leaders brought Jesus to Pilate. They told him Jesus claimed to be a king, which could be seen as a threat to Rome. Pilate questioned Jesus and quickly realized that Jesus hadn’t done anything wrong.

Pilate told the crowd, “I find no fault in Him.” (John 18:38)

He even tried to find a way out. It was a custom at the time to release one prisoner during the Passover festival. Pilate offered to release Jesus, but the crowd shouted for a man named Barabbas instead—a man who was guilty of serious crimes.

The Pressure Builds

Pilate’s wife had a troubling dream about Jesus and sent him a message:
“Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man.” (Matthew 27:19)

But the religious leaders stirred up the crowd. They demanded Jesus be crucified. Pilate was in a tough spot. He didn’t want to upset the people, but he also didn’t want to kill an innocent man.

In the end, Pilate made a choice. He gave in.

Washing His Hands

To show that he didn’t want to take responsibility, Pilate took a bowl of water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said,
“I am innocent of this man’s blood.” (Matthew 27:24)

But washing his hands didn’t make him truly innocent. He still gave the final order for Jesus to be crucified.

What We Can Learn from Pilate

Pilate’s story isn’t just about history—it’s a warning about how easy it is to make the wrong choice when we’re afraid or under pressure.

Here are some lessons from his life:

  • Doing nothing is still a choice. Pilate didn’t speak up or stand firm for what was right. He let others decide.
  • Fear can lead to failure. Pilate feared the crowd more than he feared doing wrong.
  • Responsibility can’t be washed away. Even though Pilate tried to avoid guilt, his actions had serious consequences.
  • We all face tough decisions. Pilate reminds us that courage is needed to stand for the truth, even when it’s hard.

Conclusion

Pontius Pilate is remembered as the man who handed Jesus over to die, even though he knew the truth. He had the power to stop it, but he didn’t use it. His story is a powerful reminder for us today.

When we’re faced with tough choices, will we do what’s right, or will we give in to fear and pressure?

Let’s pray for the courage to stand for what is right—even when it’s not easy.