Pontius Pilate examines the portraits of this Roman governor found in the Gospels. Unlike some discussions of Pilate, this one takes Pilate's role as governor and representative of Roman imperial power seriously. It views Pilate predominantly as a strong, efficient, and astute governor, not as a weak and indecisive man, pressured into killing Jesus against Pilate's convictions. The conclusion considers some of the ethical and theological issues the scenes involving Pilate raise for contemporary readers.
Chapters are "Would the Real Pilate Please Stand Up?" "Reading the Gospel Accounts of Pilate," "Governors and the Roman Imperial System," "Mark's Pilate," "Matthew's Pilate," "Luke's Pilate," and "John's Pilate."
Warren Carter, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Missouri. He has published numerous scholarly and ecclesial publications.
Preface vii
Introduction xi
Abbreviations xiii
CHAPTER ONE
Would the Real Pilate Please Stand Up? 1
CHAPTER TWO
Reading the Gospel Accounts of Pilate 21
CHAPTER THREE
Governors and the Roman Imperial System 35
CHAPTER FOUR
Mark's Pilate 55
CHAPTER FIVE
Matthew's Pilate 75
CHPATER SIX
Luke's Pilate 101
CHAPTER SEVEN
John's Pilate 127
Conclusion 153
Bibliography of Classical Works Cited 161