Pontius Pilate in the Bible

Exact Match

Now in the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being ruler of Judaea, and Herod being king of Galilee, his brother Philip king of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias king of Abilene,

Verse ConceptsCaesarGovernorsLeaders, PoliticalRankTetrarchRoman EmperorsRulers Of A FourthNamed Gentile Rulers

Thematic Bible



They tied his hands with cords and led him to the ruler, Pilate.

Early in the morning the chief priests met hurriedly with the elders, the teachers of the Law, and the entire Council. They made their plans. They led Jesus away in chains and handed him over to Pilate.

The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. They accused him, saying: We found this man perverting our nation. He forbids payment of tax to Caesar. He claims to be Christ a king. Pilate asked him: Are you King of the Jews? He answered him: You say it. read more.
Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds: I find no fault in this man. They were more insistent saying: He excites the people throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee even to this place. When Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean. When he knew that he was from Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. He was in Jerusalem at that time.

They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Pilate went to them and asked: What accusation do you make against this man?


Truly both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the people of the nations and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you have anointed.

I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession:

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus. You handed him over to Pilate. When he was determined to let him go you denied him.

They lead Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early and they did not enter directly into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. Pilate went to them and asked: What accusation do you make against this man? They answered: If this man were not an evildoer we would not deliver him to you. read more.
Pilate replied: Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law. The Jews said: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. Thus the word of Jesus would be fulfilled when he spoke about the kind of death he would experience. Pilate entered again into the Praetorium. He called Jesus and asked him: Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus answered: You say this about me. Or did others tell you it concerning me? Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me! What have you done? Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world! If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews. My kingdom is not from this domain. Pilate said: Are you a king then? Jesus answered: As you say I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this purpose, that I should bear witness to the truth! Every one who is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate then asked: What is truth? After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them: I find no fault in him. You have a custom that I release someone to you at the Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out: Not this man, but Barabbas. Barabbas was a robber.

They found no grounds for the death sentence for him. Yet they asked Pilate to put him to death.


Joseph of Arimathaea was a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate secretly for fear of the Jews. He asked Pilate for permission to take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission. So he took the body away.

A disciple of Jesus named Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate commanded that it be given to him.

Joseph of Arimathaea was a prominent council member who also was looking for the Kingdom of God. He boldly approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate wondered if he were already dead. So he summoned the centurion and asked him about the death. When the centurion confirmed it he granted the body to Joseph.

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.


It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea. Herod served as tetrarch of Galilee. Herod's brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.

They tied his hands with cords and led him to the ruler, Pilate.


When they assembled, Pilate asked: What is your choice? Barabbas or Jesus, the one called the Christ?


Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were ready to cause much trouble. He took water and washed his hands in front of the people. He said: The blood of this man is not on my hands. You are responsible.


Pilate replied: Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law. The Jews said: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.


A third time he said to them: Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no reason to put him to death. I will therefore chastise him and release him.


When he knew that he was from Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. He was in Jerusalem at that time.


Some people there gave him an account of how Pilate killed some Galilaeans while they offered sacrifices.


Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were ready to cause much trouble. He took water and washed his hands in front of the people. He said: The blood of this man is not on my hands. You are responsible.


References