Injustice: Pilate
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Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea from AD 26 to 36, is a central figure in the narrative of Jesus Christ's trial and crucifixion. His role in the events leading to the crucifixion is often cited as a profound example of injustice, as he presided over the trial of an innocent man and ultimately authorized His execution.

Pilate's involvement in the trial of Jesus is detailed in all four Gospels, with each account highlighting different aspects of his actions and decisions. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate is depicted as a reluctant participant in the condemnation of Jesus. Despite his wife's warning to "have nothing to do with that righteous man" (Matthew 27:19), Pilate ultimately capitulates to the demands of the crowd. He famously washes his hands before the multitude, declaring, "I am innocent of this man's blood. You shall bear the responsibility" (Matthew 27:24). This act of handwashing symbolizes his attempt to absolve himself of guilt, yet it underscores his failure to administer true justice.

The Gospel of Mark presents Pilate as a figure swayed by the chief priests and the crowd. Although he recognizes that "it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over" (Mark 15:10), Pilate succumbs to the pressure of the crowd, who demand the release of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, instead of Jesus. Pilate's decision to satisfy the crowd by releasing Barabbas and condemning Jesus to crucifixion (Mark 15:15) highlights his prioritization of political expediency over justice.

In the Gospel of Luke, Pilate's initial assessment of Jesus is that He is not guilty of any crime deserving death. Pilate states, "I have found no basis for a charge against this man" (Luke 23:14). Despite this, Pilate's attempts to release Jesus are thwarted by the persistent cries of the crowd. Even after sending Jesus to Herod, who also finds no guilt in Him, Pilate ultimately yields to the crowd's demands for crucifixion (Luke 23:23-24).

The Gospel of John provides a more detailed interaction between Pilate and Jesus, where Pilate questions Jesus about His kingship. Jesus responds, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), indicating the spiritual nature of His reign. Pilate, intrigued yet perplexed, famously asks, "What is truth?" (John 18:38), reflecting his internal conflict and moral ambiguity. Despite finding no basis for a charge against Jesus, Pilate succumbs to the political pressure and fear of being accused of disloyalty to Caesar (John 19:12-16).

Pilate's actions during the trial of Jesus exemplify the miscarriage of justice. His failure to uphold justice, despite recognizing Jesus' innocence, underscores the moral and ethical challenges faced by those in positions of authority. Pilate's decision to prioritize political stability and personal safety over righteousness serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising justice for expediency.

The account of Pilate in the Gospels serves as a reminder of the human tendency to yield to external pressures and the consequences of failing to stand for truth and justice. His role in the crucifixion of Jesus is a poignant example of how injustice can prevail when leaders prioritize their own interests over the principles of justice and righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 27:24-26
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus and Pilate
... Pilate knew that he was perpetrating flagrant injustice in such a suggestion,
and he tried to hide it by using a gentle word. 'Chastise ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus and pilate.htm

Whether the Sin of those who Crucified Christ was Most Grievous?
... hath delivered Me to thee hath the greater sin." But it was Pilate who caused ... v):
"No one suffers injustice willingly"; and in the same place he adds: "Where ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sin of those.htm

Jesus Before Pilate. --Christ's Kingdom not "Of this World. "
... The procurator, Pontius Pilate, a representative of the rich and corrupt Romans
of ... administration had been marked by many acts of arbitrary injustice, and his ...
/.../section 285 jesus before pilate christs.htm

Pontius Pilate and his Wife.
... without doing any wrong, may assume the appearance of the grossest injustice (meden
gar ... groping in the dark after "the unknown God." As to Pilate, he washed ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/pontius pilate and his wife.htm

Third Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Formally Condemned by the ...
... Thus Jesus protests against the violence and injustice of his ... 28 They lead Jesus
therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium: ^c and brought him before Pilate. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxviii third stage of jewish.htm

Pilate
... In no man was an act of deliberate injustice, or complaisance to the powerful at
the ... And the conscience of Pilate struggled hard, aided by superstitious fear. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 1-20 pilate.htm

Back to Pilate
... in all other cases, however obscure the victims, the spirit manifested by Pilate
has been ... the apple of God's eye: take care how you do an injustice even to a ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter vi back to pilate.htm

The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... Pilate's character as an unprincipled man. He was known to be under the government
of appetite, passion, or selfishness. He had been often guilty of injustice ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xii the aggravated guilt.htm

Jesus, Pilate and Herod.
... Pilate, speaking to his attendants, said, "Perhaps when he is no longer confused
by the ... take charge of him, but do you examine the justice or injustice of your ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter vii jesus pilate and.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... self-possessed, while all around Him were beside themselves, so impressed Pilate
that he ... evil passions of men"fear, and self-interest, and injustice, and hate ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xix jesus before pilate.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about being in jail or prison? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians view the Black Lives Matter movement? | GotQuestions.org

How can we express our doubt to God without offending Him (Malachi 2:17; 3:14-15)? | GotQuestions.org

Injustice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Injustice

Injustice of the Least Kind, Condemned

Injustice: A Bad Example Leads To

Injustice: Ahab

Injustice: Brings a Curse

Injustice: Covetousness Leads To

Injustice: Festus

Injustice: Forbidden

Injustice: General Scriptures Concerning

Injustice: God: Abominates

Injustice: God: Approves not of

Injustice: God: Hears the Cry of Those Who Suffer

Injustice: God: Provoked to Avenge

Injustice: God: Regards

Injustice: Intemperance Leads To

Injustice: Jews

Injustice: Judas

Injustice: Pilate

Injustice: Potiphar

Injustice: Priests

Injustice: Princes

Injustice: Punishment of

Injustice: Saints should Bear, Patiently

Injustice: Saints should Hate

Injustice: Saints should Take No Vengeance For

Injustice: Saints should Testify Against

Injustice: Sons of Samuel

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: Servants

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: The Poor

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: The Stranger and Fatherless

Injustice: The Wicked: Deal With

Injustice: The Wicked: Judge With

Injustice: The Wicked: Practise, Without Shame

Related Terms

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)

Injustices (1 Occurrence)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)

Plot (53 Occurrences)

Injury (21 Occurrences)

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Uses (15 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Judgments (146 Occurrences)

Law-suits (1 Occurrence)

Grievance (7 Occurrences)

Gross (12 Occurrences)

Well-conceived (1 Occurrence)

Wrongs (26 Occurrences)

Wrong (391 Occurrences)

Inflict (25 Occurrences)

Injuring (4 Occurrences)

Injure (16 Occurrences)

Infer (1 Occurrence)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Fairly (8 Occurrences)

Favoritism (7 Occurrences)

Tyrant (2 Occurrences)

Tried (96 Occurrences)

Revenues (7 Occurrences)

Reconsider (2 Occurrences)

Reaping (10 Occurrences)

Rapacity (2 Occurrences)

Exaction (2 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Earning (2 Occurrences)

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Defense (49 Occurrences)

Devised (35 Occurrences)

Denounce (8 Occurrences)

Defer (7 Occurrences)

Defeated (88 Occurrences)

Desist (12 Occurrences)

Dealt (130 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Misdeed (1 Occurrence)

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)

Mischievous (13 Occurrences)

Mete (7 Occurrences)

Partiality (26 Occurrences)

Partial (14 Occurrences)

Builds (18 Occurrences)

Case (138 Occurrences)

Cunningly (3 Occurrences)

Crafty (15 Occurrences)

Calamities (16 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

Assessor

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Shuts (12 Occurrences)

Succeeding (7 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Sweeps (10 Occurrences)

Smitten (215 Occurrences)

Shilling (8 Occurrences)

Services (12 Occurrences)

Stake (2 Occurrences)

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Malice (24 Occurrences)

Finds (71 Occurrences)

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Weight (143 Occurrences)

Integrity (46 Occurrences)

Helpless (27 Occurrences)

Swept (43 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

People's (37 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Injustice: Judas
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