Page 50 - laten-08-06-2020

Pontius Pilate

Representing the Dominant ideology

Mat. 27: 1-2, 15-26

Introduction

ross of Christ continues to be the sign of hope in the present
Cday context. Majority exercise authority over the minority
threatening the livelihood of the people of the land. In this
context, encountering our struggles with the cross, and the
experience of hope that we experience in the process of cross in
our life, is very challenging and meaningful.
In the passion narrative of Jesus basically the church
has understood that many characters including Pilate involved
in the crucification of Jesus. Mathew 27:1-2 and 15-26 depicts
about the trial of Jesus under Pilate and also the real nature,
character and morality of Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate
was appointed procurator of Judea in AD 26 by the Roman
Empire. In Luke 13:1, ‘The Galileans whose blood Pilate had
mixed with their sacrifices’, depict him as a ruthless ruler who
was also strongly anti-Jewish. He was very powerful emperor
in the Roman Empire to enquire crimes against nation and
its rulers and had the authority to give punishment such as
crucifixion.

Messianic Morality

Jesus’ trial took place outside the Governor’s residence.
Since Pilate had the sole authority to decide such cases according
to its merits Jesus was handed over to him (Mat.27:1-2). If we
critically look at the text the trial shows that he was manipulated
by others and in the end renounced his responsibility in favour of
the Jewish leaders. It was they who called the tune and accepted
the ultimate responsibility.On the other hand the text points out
how Pilate has encountered and experienced the cross through

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People