Personal Life

Only the Jewish historian Josephus provides us with what little information is known about Pilate's life before 26 A.D. when Tiberius Caesar appointed him procurator of Judea. The sketchy information suggests that Pilate was probably an Italian born Roman citizen whose family was wealthy enough for him to qualify for the middle class.

He most likely held certain military posts before his appointment in Judea. According to the New Testament Pontius Pilate had a wife (Matt 27:19), and brought her, Claudia Procula, to live with him at Caesarea, his headquarters within the province.

Pilate governed the areas of Judea, Samaria, and the area south as far as the Dead Sea to Gaza. As procurator he had absolute authority over the non-Roman citizens of the province. He was accountable to the Roman governor who lived in Syria to the north (Luke 2:2).

Also See ISBE - Procurator

Pontius Pilate
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Table of Contents

Pontius Pilate
Index of Topics
Introduction
Overview
Name
History
Procurator
Personal Life
Pilate and Jesus
Pilate's Later History
Dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Scriptures
Archaeology
Conclusion