Pontius Pilate in the Fourth Gospel

What is it about?

This article discusses the past and recent scholarly arguments for whether Pontius Pilate is depicted as a weak or strong character. Many scholars of the Gospel of John have argued that Pilate is a weak-willed politician who bends to the demands of the Jewish authorities in crucifying Jesus. This article, however, argues that Pilate is indeed a strong, calculating politician. However, the Gospel of John depicts him with considerable irony, undercutting this depiction of strength and promoting a vision of Jesus and God (not Rome's agents) as the ones who possess true power in the world.

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Why is it important?

Scholars have argued two primary views of Pontius Pilate in the Gospel of John: One, that he is a weak politician who bends to the will of the Jewish authorities; Two, that he is actually a clever, conniving, strong politician who gets exactly what he wants in the trial narrative. However, my article argues for a both/and perspective: Pilate is presented with strength, only to have that strong depiction undercut by the Gospel's ironic presentation of the governor. Pilate is strong, in a sense. But Jesus and God are the ones who are ultimately in control of events as they unfold in the Passion Narrative.