Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea from approximately 26 to 36 A.D., appointed by the Emperor Tiberius. He is known to history primarily through the Gospel accounts of his role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Pilate is presented as repeatedly affirming Jesus' innocence — "I find no fault in this man" (Luke 23:4; John 18:38; 19:4) — but yielding to the crowd's pressure when they threatened to report him to Caesar (John 19:12–16). His attempt to transfer responsibility to Herod Antipas and his symbolic handwashing (Matt. 27:24) did not absolve him of complicity. He posted the inscription "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS" over the cross (John 19:19–22). Extra-biblical sources (Josephus, Philo, Tacitus) confirm his brutal administration, which ended when Tiberius recalled him after a massacre of Samaritans. He appears by name in both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.