4091. Pilatos

Lexical Summary

Pilatos: Pilate

Original Word: Πιλᾶτος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Pilatos
Pronunciation: pee-LAH-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (pil-at'-os)
KJV: Pilate
NASB: Pilate
Word Origin: [of Latin origin]

1. close-pressed, i.e. firm
2. Pilatus, a Roman

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Pilate.

Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman -- Pilate.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
Pilate, a Rom. procurator of Judea
NASB Translation
Pilate (55).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4091: Πειλᾶτος

Πειλᾶτος, see Πιλᾶτος (and cf. εἰ, ἰ)

STRONGS NT 4091: ΠιλᾶτοςΠιλᾶτος (L) Tr better Πιλᾶτος ((on the accent in manuscripts see Tdf. Proleg., p. 103; cf. Chandler § 326; Buttmann, p. 6 n.); Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 m.), T WH incorrectly Πειλᾶτος (but see Tdf. Proleg., p. 84f; WHs Appendix, p. 155; and cf. εἰ, ἰ) (a Latin name, equivalent to 'armed with a pilum or javelin,' like Torquatus equivalent to 'adorned with the collar or neck-chain'; (so generally; but some would contract it from pileatus i. e. 'wearing the felt cap' (pileus), the badge of a manumitted slave; cf. Leyrer in Herzog as below; Plumptre in B. D. under the word (note))), Πιλάτου, ὁ (on the use of the article with the name cf. Winers Grammar, 113 (107) n.), Pontius Pilate, the fifth procurator of the Roman emperor in Judaea and Samaria (having had as predecessors Coponius, Marcus Ambivius, Annius Rufus, and Valerius Gratus). (Some writers (e. g. BB. DD., under the word) call Pilate the sixth procurator, reckoning Subinus as the first, he having had charge for a time, during the absence of Archelaus at Rome, shortly after the death of Herod; cf. Josephus, Antiquities 17, 9, 3.) He was sent into Judaea in the year , and remained in office ten years; (cf. Keim, Jesus von Naz. iii., p. 485f. (English translation, vi. 226f)). Although he saw that Jesus was innocent, yet, fearing that the Jews would bring an accusation against him before Caesar for the wrongs he had done them, and dreading the emperor's displeasure, he delivered up Jesus to their bloodthirsty demands and ordered him to be crucified. At length, in consequence of his having ordered the slaughter of the Samaritans assembled at Matt. Gerizim, Vitellius, the governor of Syria and father of the Vitellius who was afterward emperor, removed him from office and ordered him to go to Rome and answer their accusations; but before his arrival Tiberius died. Cf. Josephus, Antiquities 18, 2-4 and chapter 6, 5; b. j. 2, 9, 2 and 4; Philo, leg. ad Gaium § 38; Tacitus, ann. 15, 44. Eusebius (h. e. 2, 7, and Chron. ad ann. I. Gaii) reports that he died by his own hand. Various stories about his death are related in the Evangelia apocr. edition Tischendorf, p. 426ff (English translation, p. 231ff). He is mentioned in the N. T. in Matthew 27:2ff; Mark 15:1ff; Luke 3:1; Luke 13:1; Luke 23:1ff; John 18:29ff; ff; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:27; Acts 13:28; 1 Timothy 6:18. A full account of him is given in Winers RWB, under the word Pilatus; (BB. DD. ibid.); Ewald, Geschichte Christus' u. seiner Zeit, edition 3, p. 82ff; Leyrer in Herzog xi., p. 663ff (2nd edition, p. 685ff); Renan, Vie de Jesus, 14me edition, p. 413ff (English translation, (N. Y. 1865), p. 333ff); Klöpper in Schenkel iv., p. 581f; Schürer, Neutest. Zeitgesch. § 17 c., p. 252ff; (Warneck, Pont. Pilatus as above with (pp. 210. Gotha, 1867)).

Topical Lexicon

Personal and Political Background

Pontius Pilate served as the fifth Roman prefect of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36 under Emperor Tiberius. A military officer turned administrator, he held ultimate civil, military, and judicial authority in the province, kept the imperial peace, and oversaw tax revenue. Scripture depicts him as answerable both to Rome’s expectations of order and to local Jewish sensitivities (John 19:12).

Governorship of Judea

Pilate’s tenure was marked by repeated clashes with Jewish leaders—Josephus records his introduction of imperial images into Jerusalem and appropriation of Temple funds. Luke 3:1 lists him alongside regional rulers to fix the historical setting for John the Baptist’s ministry, indicating the wide‐reaching implications of Rome’s presence in salvation history.

Pilate and the Galileans (Luke 13:1)

The report that Pilate “had mixed with their sacrifices the blood of the Galileans” portrays his readiness to crush perceived threats, foreshadowing the brutality seen in the scourging of Jesus (John 19:1). Jesus used the incident to call for repentance rather than political revolt, revealing a kingdom not of this world.

Role in the Trial of Jesus

All four Gospels concentrate more verses on Pilate than on any other Roman official.
• Initial accusations (Luke 23:1-4; John 18:29-31) show the Sanhedrin pressing political charges—“He claims to be a king”—to compel Pilate’s intervention.
• Interrogation: “Are You the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15:2). Jesus answers, “You have said so,” exposing Pilate’s dilemma: the charge is capital but the accused is unthreatening.
• Referral to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12) demonstrates Pilate’s attempt to evade responsibility; ironically it reconciles him with Herod—“they became friends with one another that very day.”
• Custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover (Mark 15:6-15). The crowd chooses Barabbas, heightening Pilate’s guilt.
• Scourging and mock coronation (John 19:1-3) intended as a compromise fail; the leaders insist, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar” (John 19:12).
• Formal verdict: “So Pilate handed Him over to be crucified” (John 19:16).

Pilate’s Wife and the Warning Dream

Matthew 27:19 records her message: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered today in a dream because of Him.” Scripture presents this as an additional witness to Jesus’ innocence, intensifying Pilate’s moral conflict.

The Handwashing Symbol

Matthew 27:24-25 portrays Pilate publicly washing his hands: “I am innocent of this man’s blood. You shall bear the responsibility.” The gesture could not remove guilt; Acts 4:27 groups him among those who conspired against the Lord.

Interplay with Herod Antipas

Luke 23:11-12 shows Pilate and Herod uniting over Jesus’ fate. The shared mockery contrasts Rome’s earthly authority with the true kingship of Christ. Their alliance fulfills Psalm 2:2, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord.”

Pilate’s Inscription on the Cross

John 19:19-22: “Pilate also had a sign posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Refusing to amend it, Pilate unwittingly proclaims a messianic truth, illustrating how God uses pagan authority to declare the gospel.

Pilate in Apostolic Preaching

Peter’s temple sermon: “Though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed” (Acts 13:28). The early church stressed Pilate’s involvement while affirming God’s predestined plan (Acts 4:27-28). His role anchors the crucifixion in verifiable history, strengthening apologetic credibility.

Confession before Pilate as a Model (1 Timothy 6:13)

Paul charges Timothy “in the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate.” Jesus’ steadfast witness becomes the standard for believers facing pressure from secular powers.

Historical Outcome and Later Tradition

Extra-biblical sources suggest Pilate was recalled to Rome after suppressing a Samaritan uprising and may have died in disgrace or suicide. Fourth-century creeds retain his name (“suffered under Pontius Pilate”) to stress the incarnation’s historical concreteness.

Theological and Pastoral Reflections

1. Human government is accountable to divine oversight; attempts to evade truth, like handwashing, fail before God’s judgment seat.
2. Christ’s kingdom confronts political pragmatism with eternal authority.
3. Believers may suffer under unjust rulers, yet God overrules for redemptive purposes, turning even an inscription by Pilate into gospel proclamation.
4. Jesus’ calm confession invites saints to hold fast “the good confession” amid opposition.

Key References

Matthew 27:2, 17-26, 58, 62-66; Mark 15:1-15, 44-45; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28–19:22; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:27; Acts 13:28; 1 Timothy 6:13.

Forms and Transliterations

Πειλατον Πειλᾶτον Πειλατος Πειλᾶτος Πειλατου Πειλάτου Πειλατω Πειλάτῳ Πιλᾶτον Πιλᾶτος Πιλάτου Πιλάτῳ Pilato Pilatō Pilátoi Pilátōi Pilaton Pilâton Pilatos Pilâtos Pilatou Pilátou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 27:2 N-DMS
GRK: καὶ παρέδωκαν Πιλάτῳ τῷ ἡγεμόνι
NAS: and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.
KJV: him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
INT: and delivered him to Pilate the governor

Matthew 27:13 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτῷ ὁ Πιλᾶτος Οὐκ ἀκούεις
NAS: Then Pilate said
KJV: said Pilate unto him,
INT: to him Pilate not Hear you

Matthew 27:17 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος Τίνα θέλετε
NAS: gathered together, Pilate said
KJV: were gathered together, Pilate said
INT: to them Pilate Whom will you [that]

Matthew 27:22 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος Τί οὖν
NAS: Pilate said to them, Then
KJV: Pilate saith unto them,
INT: to them Pilate What then

Matthew 27:24 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ Πιλᾶτος ὅτι οὐδὲν
NAS: When Pilate saw
KJV: When Pilate saw that
INT: moreover Pilate that nothing

Matthew 27:58 N-DMS
GRK: προσελθὼν τῷ Πιλάτῳ ᾐτήσατο τὸ
NAS: went to Pilate and asked
KJV: He went to Pilate, and begged the body
INT: having gone to Pilate asked for the

Matthew 27:58 N-NMS
GRK: τότε ὁ Πιλᾶτος ἐκέλευσεν ἀποδοθῆναι
NAS: Then Pilate ordered
KJV: Then Pilate commanded
INT: Then Pilate commanded it to be given up

Matthew 27:62 N-AMS
GRK: Φαρισαῖοι πρὸς Πιλᾶτον
NAS: gathered together with Pilate,
KJV: came together unto Pilate,
INT: Pharisees before Pilate

Matthew 27:65 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος Ἔχετε κουστωδίαν
NAS: Pilate said to them, You have
KJV: Pilate said unto them,
INT: to them Pilate You have a guard

Mark 15:1 N-DMS
GRK: καὶ παρέδωκαν Πιλάτῳ
NAS: and delivered Him to Pilate.
KJV: and delivered [him] to Pilate.
INT: and delivered [him] to Pilate

Mark 15:2 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτὸν ὁ Πιλᾶτος Σὺ εἶ
NAS: Pilate questioned
KJV: And Pilate asked him,
INT: him Pilate You are

Mark 15:4 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος πάλιν ἐπηρώτα
NAS: Then Pilate questioned Him again,
KJV: And Pilate asked him
INT: and Pilate again questioned

Mark 15:5 N-AMS
GRK: θαυμάζειν τὸν Πιλᾶτον
NAS: answer; so Pilate was amazed.
KJV: nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
INT: marveled Pilate

Mark 15:9 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς
NAS: Pilate answered them, saying,
KJV: But Pilate answered them,
INT: but Pilate answered them

Mark 15:12 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος πάλιν ἀποκριθεὶς
NAS: again, Pilate said
KJV: And Pilate answered and said
INT: and Pilate again having answered

Mark 15:14 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς
NAS: But Pilate said to them, Why,
KJV: Then Pilate said unto them,
INT: and Pilate said to them

Mark 15:15 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος βουλόμενος τῷ
NAS: the crowd, Pilate released
KJV: And [so] Pilate, willing to content
INT: moreover Pilate desiring to the

Mark 15:43 N-AMS
GRK: πρὸς τὸν Πιλᾶτον καὶ ᾐτήσατο
NAS: in before Pilate, and asked
KJV: boldly unto Pilate, and craved
INT: to Pilate and asked for

Mark 15:44 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἐθαύμασεν εἰ
NAS: Pilate wondered if
KJV: And Pilate marvelled if
INT: and Pilate wondered if

Luke 3:1 N-GMS
GRK: ἡγεμονεύοντος Ποντίου Πιλάτου τῆς Ἰουδαίας
NAS: when Pontius Pilate was governor
KJV: Pontius Pilate being governor
INT: being governor Pontius Pilate of Judea

Luke 13:1 N-NMS
GRK: τὸ αἷμα Πιλᾶτος ἔμιξεν μετὰ
NAS: blood Pilate had mixed
KJV: whose blood Pilate had mingled with
INT: the blood Pilate mingled with

Luke 23:1 N-AMS
GRK: ἐπὶ τὸν Πιλᾶτον
NAS: up and brought Him before Pilate.
KJV: him unto Pilate.
INT: to Pilate

Luke 23:3 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος ἠρώτησεν αὐτὸν
NAS: So Pilate asked Him, saying,
KJV: And Pilate asked him,
INT: moreover Pilate questioned him

Luke 23:4 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος εἶπεν πρὸς
NAS: Then Pilate said to the chief priests
KJV: Then said Pilate to the chief priests
INT: moreover Pilate said to

Luke 23:6 N-NMS
GRK: Πιλᾶτος δὲ ἀκούσας
NAS: When Pilate heard it, he asked
KJV: When Pilate heard of Galilee,
INT: Pilate moreover having heard

Strong's Greek 4091
55 Occurrences

Πιλάτῳ — 6 Occ.
Πιλᾶτον — 7 Occ.
Πιλᾶτος — 39 Occ.
Πιλάτου — 3 Occ.