What are your views of Pontius Pilate?

I hear that his exercise videos are great.

He was forced to please the people.

He was a “Pass the Buck” sort of guy.

I love the name Pilate from a character in one of my favorite books. Not the Bible.

I’ve always thought he hated his job and wished he were back in Rome.

Jason that was lurve funny.

Read the biography Pontius Pilate by Paul Maier. Pilate was a cross between a politician and a Mafia don.

total rilf

@steel;
I have that book sitting on my shelf waiting to read it! Did you read his book “Skeleton in God’s Closet?” It made me think someone stole the concept for the Da Vinci Code.

Enormous pressure, had to keep the peace, pleased the crowd like any other politician tries to do. Kinda like a sudden political rally, and he had to make the call on who would be crucified that day.

I lived in Lucerne (also written Luzern), Switzerland for a few years. Perhaps some of you have heard of Mt. Pilatus? Local Swiss tradition places Pontius Pilate here at the end of his life; a man deeply saddened by his act of injustice.

To me the most interesting thing about Pilate is his exchange with Jesus. Pilate really seems to want Jesus to defend himself, and even has a philosophical conversation with Jesus about what Jesus calls “Truth.” If I’m recalling this correctly, Pilate’s response to Jesus was, “What is truth?” Considering the context, Pilate’s response seems to be dripping with skepticism about the nature of truth itself; suggesting that he held that truth was all relative. His response strikes me as a very modern one. One that I certainly can relate to.

I feel for Pilate in many ways. He seems to be a man who ends up intimidated by the juggling of competing and hostile interests. He seems much like a modern politician, caught between what he knows is the right thing to do and the will of special interests that might make things a living hell if their point of view is not heeded.

@davidk ”... much like a modern politician, caught between what he knows is the right thing to do and the will of special interests that might make things a living hell if their point of view is not heeded.”
I like that. No way was he going to order Jesus crucified (for whatever reason) so he let the townspeople make the decision. I feel this is one part of the Bible that is fact, not a fairytale.

What makes Pilate infamous is his investigation of charges made by the Jewish chief priests and older men that Jesus was presenting himself as King. On hearing of Jesus’ mission to bear witness to the truth, Pilate saw that the prisoner presented no threat to Rome. “What is truth?” he asked, evidently thinking that truth was too elusive a concept to merit much attention. His conclusion? “I find no crime in this man.”( John 18:37, 38; Luke 23:4) That should have been the end of Jesus’ trial, but the Jews insisted that he was subverting the nation. Envy was the chief priests’ reason for turning Jesus over, and Pilate knew it. He also knew that releasing Jesus would cause trouble, something he wanted to avoid. There had been enough of that already, for Barabbas and others were in custody for sedition and murder. (Mark 15:7, 10; Luke 23:2) Moreover, previous disputes with the Jews had tarnished Pilate’s reputation with Tiberius, who was notorious for dealing severely with bad governors. Yet, to give in to the Jews would be a sign of weakness. So Pilate faced a dilemma.On hearing where Jesus was from, Pilate tried to pass the case on to Herod Antipas, district ruler of Galilee. When that failed, Pilate attempted to get those gathered outside his palace to ask for Jesus’ release, in accord with the custom of freeing a prisoner at Passover. The crowd clamored for Barabbas.(Luke 23:5–19)Pilate may have wanted to do what was right, but he also desired to save himself and please the crowd. Finally, he put his career ahead of conscience and justice. Calling for water, he washed his hands and claimed innocence in the death he now sanctioned. Though he believed that Jesus was innocent, Pilate had him scourged and allowed soldiers to mock, strike, and spit upon him.—Matthew 27:24–31.
Pilate made a final attempt to free Jesus, but the crowd shouted that if he did so, he was no friend of Caesar. (John 19:12) At that, Pilate caved in. “The solution was easy: execute the man, All that was to be lost was the life of one apparently insignificant Jew; It is the same today, But here he was fulfilling prophecy.

I think he was weak. He knew that Jesus was innocent but was afraid of displeasing the crowds.

He bore a striking resemblance to David Bowie.