Pontius Pilate

Paul L. Maier – The story of the crucifixion is told from the viewpoint of Pontius Pilate. The Roman and Jewish setting is vividly portrayed. It also shows how Pilate, though he might have been somewhat sympathetic to Jesus, faced severe pressures on the part of the Jews. He realized that if he should side with Jesus, the Jewish leaders were very capable of complaining to Ceasar and thereby ruining Pilate politically. Much of the book is based on fact, though naturally some of it is written as “what might have happened”. For example, Pilate’s friendship with Cornelius the centurion, who was converted to the Christian faith, and also Pilate’s presence at Herod’s banquet when John the Baptist lost his life.