Pontius Pilate?

Question

This is a question that has bothered me. Was Pontius Pilate 'evil' and responisable for the death of Jesus. He sentanced Jesus to crucifixion, but only because a mob of angry Jews.

The Jews who didn't turn to Jesus denounced him as a heretict and demon faster then you can shake a finger at it, and the Jews took the beaten, bloodied Jesus to Pontius Pilate, who was a Roman governer, and he decided to execute Jesus. [There was even something where the Jews got a choice between freeing Jesus or a horrible murderer named Barbarus, and they chose to free Barbarus]

Answer 1

The question is a good one, but the answer depends upon whether you address the answer historically or bibilically (and thus, metaphorically.)

Historically, Pontius Pilate's 'character' is defined by much more than his presiding over one man's judicial fate. As Roman 'judge' of the province, it is very likely that he did things that (according to the Jews) was quite 'evil' while also making other decisions that were quite 'good' and/or favorable to them. Attempting to define someone as 'good' or 'evil' by a single act is cautionary at best.

Bibically/symbolically, Pilate was as much 'responsible' for Jesus' death as Peter. In other words, Peter had as much 'hope' as standing by Jesus until the end as Pontius did of somehow 'saving' Jesus from being executed. In other words, Pontius, even if he wanted to not condemn Jesus (and there is ample evidence in the gospel to suggest it) keeps running into 'ideas' that will only bring him back to that fateful decision.

Jesus HAD to be tried as a criminal, found guilty, AND be executed for it. The very process of his death is the 'proof' that validates everything that came before it. "Turn the other cheek", "offer no resistance", "take up the cross", all the self-sacrifice that Jesus preached throughout his life could only have 'meaning' if he was willing to abide by them even when it would make the most sense not too. If Jesus doesn't die, then his words become just another 'do as I say, not as I do' pontifications of a hypocrite.

So, if Jesus had to die in order to truly say to others "I have not only said, but I have done as well", then everyone involved in the process has to 'cooperate' as well. This means that Peter HAS to deny Jesus (so that Jesus can die alone, and Peter can be left to spread the gospel, partially motivated by his own sense of 'shame'), the Sannhedrin HAS to pass him off to Pontius Pilate, and Pilate HAS to eventually have no other choice but to hand him over to be executed. Even the Jews, at that moment, HAVE to be given the impulse to choose Barabas, no matter how many of them grieved about it afterwards, because the 'plan' is that Jesus needs to die.

Since Jesus' death is part of God's/Jesus' will, then everyone 'acts' according to the will of God/Jesus to ensure that the act takes place. In other words, no one has any 'free will' to choose any outcome other than the one God/Jesus wanted, and thus is absolved of the 'sin' of committing the act.

This is personified by Jesus' speech on the cross: "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Most interpret it to mean that Jesus is asking God to forgive them of their crimes, but it's not about that. It's Jesus acknowledging his surrender to God's will, and thus if it is God's will that he should die, then all those who have 'helped' bring this about are thus 'innocent' (no free will to do otherwise) and 'forgiven' by Jesus ("I, and the Father, are one.")

In the end, God is responsible for Jesus' death, and everyone involved is simply the means by which it was achieved.

Answer 2

Be a scholar. Do some research. Barbarus, not to be confused with St. Barabbas of the 9th century, was in prison because he had taken part in a recent uprising. Today we call people like Barbarus "freedom fighters". But overall, I agree with Khnopff71. Our Lord and Saviors Jesus Christ's path was per-determined.

Answer 3

No Pilate was not evil He did not want to kill Jesus,I read somewhere Pilate carved the wood plaque naming Jesus King of the Jews.

Answer 4

No he was not evil, He gave the mob a choice (a choice in which ended Jesus life as a human) but through the denial of Jesus they (Jews) denied Him yet again on that day.

Answer 5

1)the Romans had a law,if somebody,in this case Jesus denounced,the Christian way they would get pardoned
2)Pontius Pilate and Jesus as kids grow up together as friends
Pontius Pilate didn't wan't to crucifie Jesus,but he had no choice

Answer 6

Pilate wanted to free Christ but was willing to be pressured by the unrepentant Jews who called for his execution.

Political and religious leaders today do the same. Expediency trumps truth.

Answer 7

Sadly as amply demonstrated today - hate is a very human emotion and amply demonstrated by the fundamentalists, anti gay, anti abortion, extremists and bigots in the Christian church.

Good Christians follow the path of love and forgiveness - bad ones preach hell and damnation.

Therefore the ones who made the decision were the equivalent of today's fundies and sadly if it happened today the fundies would make the same choice!!!!

Answer 8

I think Pilate wasn't evil he wanted to free Christ

Answer 9

No.we should not point to Pontius pilate.Anybody whoever will be in the position of him would do the same.It is the pressure from his own men.He had to go according to thier decision.Wat u think ?May be he is responsible ...We should remember that we can't go beyond circumstances...He just can't go against his own men......

Answer 10

He must have been very uncultured if the called him Barbarus ; )