By: Steven Ruggiere Period 5

 According to the canonical Christian Gospels, Pilate presided at the trial of Jesus and, despite stating that he personally found him not guilty of a crime meriting death, handed him over to crucifixion.  Pilate is thus a pivotal character in the New Testament accounts of Jesus.

 He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus.  True name is Pontius Pilatus; better known as Pontius Pilate in the English language.  In all gospel accounts, Pilate is reluctant to condemn Jesus, but is eventually forced to give in when the crowd becomes unruly and the Jewish leaders remind him that Jesus's claim to be king is a challenge to Roman rule and to the Roman deification of Caesar.

 In all four gospel accounts, Pilate avoids responsibility for the death of Jesus.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate washes his hands to show that he was not responsible for the execution of Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death.  The Gospel of Mark, depicting Jesus as innocent of plotting against the Roman Empire, portrays Pilate as reluctant to execute Jesus.

 In the Gospel of Luke, Pilate not only agrees that Jesus did not conspire against Rome, but Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, also finds nothing treasonable in Jesus' actions.  Roman magistrates had wide discretion in executing their tasks, and some readers question whether Pilate would have been so captive to the demands of the crowd. Pilate was later recalled to Rome for his harsh treatment of the Jews.

 Pontius Pilate Coinage

 Strength- Did not believe that Jesus was rightfully accused.  Weakness- Gave in when the crowd began to shout to crucify Jesus

 No Exact Quote  “Blood stained hands.”

 I believe that shakespeare is trying to make a biblical reference to Pontius Pilate by referring to the “Blood stained hands”, showing that Macbeth was not responsible for the killing; he had washed his “Blood Stained Hands”

WORKS CITED   %20Pilate%20coin%20of%20Left%20- %20Tiberius%20Caesar%20lit%20la.htm  christ-is-taken-before-pontius-pilate.htm 