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. Cover ......Page 1 Series......Page 4 Title page......Page 6 ISBN......Page 7 CONTENTS......Page 10 PREFACE......Page 12 Aims of the present work......Page 17 Methodology......Page 20 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 22 ABBREVIATIONS......Page 23 (Map) The Roman province of Judaea, 6-41 CE......Page 27 1. PONTIUS PILATE AND THE ROMAN PROVINCE OF JUDAEA......Page 28 2. PILATE IN PHILO......Page 51 The theology behind Philo's historical works......Page 54 Political rhetoric......Page 60 The historical event......Page 63 Conclusion......Page 74 The Jewish War......Page 76 The Antiquities of the Jews......Page 89 The historical events......Page 105 Conclusion......Page 120 4. PILATE IN MARK'S GOSPEL......Page 121 Mark's passion narrative......Page 122 Context......Page 124 Markan themes culminating in the passion narrative......Page 126 The characterization of Pilate in Mark......Page 130 Conclusion......Page 144 5. PILATE IN MATTHEW'S GOSPEL......Page 147 Matthew's sources......Page 150 Matthew's special interests reflected in his redaction of Mark 15.1-15......Page 151 The characterization of Pilate in Matthew......Page 156 Matthew's use of egemon (Grk)......Page 162 Conclusion......Page 163 6. PILATE IN LUKE-ACTS......Page 165 Lukan themes influencing the portrayal of Pilate......Page 167 The characterization of Pilate in Luke......Page 177 Conclusion......Page 186 7. PILATE IN JOHN'S GOSPEL......Page 190 John's sources......Page 192 Johannine themes culminating in the trial before Pilate......Page 193 The characterization of Pilate......Page 201 The Roman trial......Page 202 Conclusion......Page 219 Historical events behind Luke 13.1......Page 221 The historical trial of Jesus......Page 223 CONCLUSION......Page 230 Secondary works......Page 235 Greek and Latin authors......Page 254 Biblical and aprocryphal writings......Page 255 Other Jewish and Christian writings......Page 263 INDEX OF MODERN AUTHORS......Page 270 INDEX OF MAIN SUBJECTS......Page 274 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.