Protos

Who was Pilate in the Bible?

Ruler, in the New Testament era

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea during the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion (Luk.3.1). Pilate appears in 52 verses across 6 books of the Bible.

Pilate Washes His Hands
Pilate Washes His Hands · James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What does the Bible say about Pilate?

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea during the time of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion (Luk.3.1). He is most known for his role in the trial and execution of Jesus, as recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18-19). When Jesus was brought before Pilate by the Jewish leaders, who accused him of claiming to be the king of the Jews, Pilate questioned Jesus and found no fault in him (Jhn.18.29-38). However, faced with the insistence of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate ultimately gave in to their demands and ordered Jesus to be crucified (Mat.27.24; Mrk.15.15; Luk.23.24; Jhn.19.16). Pilate is portrayed as a reluctant participant in Jesus' death, attempting to release him but ultimately succumbing to political pressure (Jhn.19.12). He is also depicted as a somewhat cynical and world-weary figure, as seen in his famous question to Jesus, "What is truth?" (Jhn.18.38). Pilate's involvement in Jesus' crucifixion is also mentioned in the Book of Acts, where the early Christian leaders affirm that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Act.3.13; 4.27; 13.28). In 1Ti.6.13, Paul refers to Jesus' good confession before Pontius Pilate.

Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

Where does Pilate appear in the Bible?

Pilate is referenced in 52 verses across 6 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

John 19Luke 12Mark 10Matthew 8Acts 21 Timothy 1

Showing the first 24 of 52.

Open all 52 references in Protos

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Pilate.

JesusJewsHerodTruthCaesarPreparation

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Pilate?

Pilate appears in 52 verses across 6 books, most often in John, which accounts for 19 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Pilate?

John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Acts, 1 Timothy.

Where can I read every verse about Pilate?

This page lists 24 of them. Protos carries all 52, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read John with Pilate explained on the verse.

Tap any name, place, or word you do not recognize and the background opens on the verse you are reading. No second tab, no search, no losing your place.

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