Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation

The first full-length scholarly book on Pontius Pilate in English.

Helen K. Bond (Author)

9780521631143, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 November 1998

276 pages
22.4 x 14.6 x 2.2 cm, 0.465 kg

'A valuable contribution … thorough and scholarly study.' John Court, Church Times

This study reconstructs the historical Pontius Pilate and looks at the way in which he is used as a literary character in the works of six first century authors: Philo, Josephus and the four evangelists. The first chapter provides an introduction to the history and formation of the imperial Roman province of Judaea. The following two chapters examine the references to Pilate in Philo and Josephus, looking at each author's biases before going on to assess the historicity of their accounts. The next four chapters look at the portrayal of Pilate in each gospel, asking how a first century reader would have interpreted his actions. Each chapter asks what this portrayal shows about the author's attitude towards the Roman state, and what kind of community found this useful. The conclusion distinguishes between the 'historical Pilate' and the different 'Pilate of interpretation' preserved in our first century literary sources.

Introduction
1. Pontius Pilate and the Roman Province of Judaea
2. Pilate in Philo
3. Pilate in Josephus
4. Pilate in Mark's Gospel
5. Pilate in Matthew's Gospel
6. Pilate in Luke/Acts
7. Pilate in John's Gospel
8. Historical events behind the gospel narratives
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]