Original Word: Πιλᾶτος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Pilatos
Pronunciation: pee-LAH-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (pil-at'-os)
Definition: Pilate
Meaning: Pilate.

Pilate.

Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman -- Pilate.

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
Pilate, a Rom. procurator of Judea
NASB Translation
Pilate (55).

STRONGS NT 4091: Πειλᾶτος

Πειλᾶτος, see Πιλᾶτος (and cf. εἰ, ἰ)

STRONGS NT 4091: ΠιλᾶτοςΠιλᾶτος (L) Tr better Πιλᾶτος ((on the accent in manuscripts see Tdf. Proleg., p. 103; cf. Chandler § 326; Buttmann, p. 6 n.); Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 m.), T WH incorrectly Πειλᾶτος (but see Tdf. Proleg., p. 84f; WHs Appendix, p. 155; and cf. εἰ, ἰ) (a Latin name, equivalent to 'armed with a pilum or javelin,' like Torquatus equivalent to 'adorned with the collar or neck-chain'; (so generally; but some would contract it from pileatus i. e. 'wearing the felt cap' (pileus), the badge of a manumitted slave; cf. Leyrer in Herzog as below; Plumptre in B. D. under the word (note))), Πιλάτου, ὁ (on the use of the article with the name cf. Winers Grammar, 113 (107) n.), Pontius Pilate, the fifth procurator of the Roman emperor in Judaea and Samaria (having had as predecessors Coponius, Marcus Ambivius, Annius Rufus, and Valerius Gratus). (Some writers (e. g. BB. DD., under the word) call Pilate the sixth procurator, reckoning Subinus as the first, he having had charge for a time, during the absence of Archelaus at Rome, shortly after the death of Herod; cf. Josephus, Antiquities 17, 9, 3.) He was sent into Judaea in the year , and remained in office ten years; (cf. Keim, Jesus von Naz. iii., p. 485f. (English translation, vi. 226f)). Although he saw that Jesus was innocent, yet, fearing that the Jews would bring an accusation against him before Caesar for the wrongs he had done them, and dreading the emperor's displeasure, he delivered up Jesus to their bloodthirsty demands and ordered him to be crucified. At length, in consequence of his having ordered the slaughter of the Samaritans assembled at Matt. Gerizim, Vitellius, the governor of Syria and father of the Vitellius who was afterward emperor, removed him from office and ordered him to go to Rome and answer their accusations; but before his arrival Tiberius died. Cf. Josephus, Antiquities 18, 2-4 and chapter 6, 5; b. j. 2, 9, 2 and 4; Philo, leg. ad Gaium § 38; Tacitus, ann. 15, 44. Eusebius (h. e. 2, 7, and Chron. ad ann. I. Gaii) reports that he died by his own hand. Various stories about his death are related in the Evangelia apocr. edition Tischendorf, p. 426ff (English translation, p. 231ff). He is mentioned in the N. T. in Matthew 27:2ff; Mark 15:1ff; Luke 3:1; Luke 13:1; Luke 23:1ff; John 18:29ff; ff; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:27; Acts 13:28; 1 Timothy 6:18. A full account of him is given in Winers RWB, under the word Pilatus; (BB. DD. ibid.); Ewald, Geschichte Christus' u. seiner Zeit, edition 3, p. 82ff; Leyrer in Herzog xi., p. 663ff (2nd edition, p. 685ff); Renan, Vie de Jesus, 14me edition, p. 413ff (English translation, (N. Y. 1865), p. 333ff); Klöpper in Schenkel iv., p. 581f; Schürer, Neutest. Zeitgesch. § 17 c., p. 252ff; (Warneck, Pont. Pilatus as above with (pp. 210. Gotha, 1867)).

Word Origin: Of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name "Pilatus."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the name Pilate, as it is a Latin name. However, the role and actions of Pilate are contextually linked to the broader narrative of the Roman occupation of Judea, which is addressed in various Hebrew texts concerning Roman rule and governance.

Usage: The name Πιλᾶτος appears in the New Testament as the Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus Christ and ultimately authorized His crucifixion.

Context: Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea from approximately 26 to 36 AD. He is most famously known for his role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Pilate is depicted in the Gospels as a figure who, despite recognizing Jesus' innocence, capitulated to the demands of the Jewish leaders and the crowd to have Jesus crucified.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate is portrayed as a reluctant judge who washes his hands before the crowd, symbolically distancing himself from the decision to execute Jesus (Matthew 27:24, BSB: "When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man’s blood,' he said. 'You bear the responsibility.'"). This act has become emblematic of evading responsibility.

The Gospel of John provides a more detailed interaction between Pilate and Jesus, highlighting Pilate's internal conflict and his questioning of Jesus about His kingship and truth (John 18:37-38, BSB: "Then Pilate said to Him, 'So You are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.' 'What is truth?' Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, 'I find no basis for a charge against Him.'").

Pilate's historical role is corroborated by extra-biblical sources, including writings by the Jewish historian Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus. These sources confirm his governance in Judea and his involvement in the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.

Pilate's legacy is complex; he is often viewed as a symbol of political expediency and moral compromise. His actions during the trial of Jesus have been the subject of theological reflection and artistic representation throughout history.

Πειλατον Πειλᾶτον Πειλατος Πειλᾶτος Πειλατου Πειλάτου Πειλατω Πειλάτῳ Πιλᾶτον Πιλᾶτος Πιλάτου Πιλάτῳ Pilato Pilatō Pilátoi Pilátōi Pilaton Pilâton Pilatos Pilâtos Pilatou PilátouInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts