Pontius Pilat..do you believe the Gospels or that of Josephus?

Question

Who do you beleive the Gospels or Josephus about Pontius Pilat?

Is he a Wimp as the Gospels say or is he a strong Governor as Josephus states?

Remember both the Gospels and Josephus wrote this 40 years or more after the fact!!

Which account do you believe and why?

I never thumb down unless you are rude and any one who answers with intellect deserves a thum up

Answer 1

I would prefer to rely on Josephus as he was a historian of sorts. The bible is a polemic conveying a message and as such contains propaganda and events possibly altered [ if they happened at all] so is less reliable. Herod also gets a bad press in the bible and he was a tyrant but he was also a very effective administrator.

Answer 2

The Pilate of the Gospel is a fantasy. The message in the story was "We don't blame Rome and we have no quarrel with it." The documented actions of those who governed before and after Pilate indicate a province where open rebellion was always a possibility and governors from Rome ready to do whatever it takes to crush it. No Roman governor ever got in trouble for brutality alone.

Answer 3

I do not think that they contradict each other; the gospels are more about one specific event with Pilate's rule, Josephus is more generic to the overall rule

I suspect that Pilate was probably a pretty strong armed ruler. He ruled longer than most governors, and there was little contention or issue during his reign.

Answer 4

I tend to believe Pilat was a Weak Governor.
A. He was in a poor, and politically weak region. If he had higher qualifications he would have been Governor of Alexandria, or even Gaul was a better post.
B. He gaved in to a Religious Sect (Jews) who he,as Governor, should have known would never amalgamate into Roman culture, the power to dictate governmental matters. (Prison Sentences/ Execution)
C. If he really wanted to end what he saw as a dangerous sect, (Christianity) by the day's standards, he should have Crucified all 12 Apostles as well.

Answer 5

I don't understand why you think the Gospels make Pilate out to be a wimp. Why do you feel that way?

For a great literary take on the agony of Pilate regarding what to do with Christ, read Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita" - the second chapter, I think, provides a vivid retelling of the trial and death of Jesus.

Answer 6

I do not believe in either the Gospels or that of Josephus.