Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 100)

This study reconstructs the life of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor responsible for the execution of Jesus. The first section provides the historical and archaeological background. The following chapters look at six first-century authors: Philo, Josephus and the four gospel writers. Each chapter asks how Pilate is being used as a literary character in each work, why each author describes Pilate in a different way, and what this tells us about the relationship between each author and the Roman state. 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 Consider 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 'pilates Of Interpretation' Preserved In Our First-century Literary Sources. Pontius Pilate And The Roman Province Of Judaea -- Pilate In Philo -- Pilate In Josephus -- Pilate In Mark's Gospel -- Pilate In Matthew's Gospel -- Pilate In Luke-acts -- Pilate In John's Gospel -- Historical Events Behind The Gospel Narratives. Helen K. Bond. Based On The Author's Thesis (doctoral)--durham University. 'index Of Texts Cited': P. 227-242; 'index Of Modern Authors': P. 243-246; 'index Of Main Subjects': P. 247-249. Includes Footnotes And Bibliographical References (p. 208-226). 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 This study is the first full-length scholarly book on Pontius Pilate in English. It 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.