Appointed by the Emperor Tiberius, Pontius Pilate served as governor of the Roman province of Judaea (26−36 CE). In general, Pilate took a hard line against the Jews and was extremely fearful of a potential Jewish revolt against Roman rule. His role as judge at Jesus’ trial is well attested by all four gospels and by evidence from Gentile and Jewish sources.

In spite of the fact that legends in the gospels and later make him out to be reluctant to execute Jesus or even sympathetic to Christianity, this is highly doubtful and would not be consistent with what we know of his actions and character. We know that he was a devotee of the pagan imperial cult by the so-called Pilate Stone, which contains a dedication by him to the Emperor Tiberius. Pilate left Judaea in 36 CE after numerous complaints from Jews had reached the ear of Tiberius.

More information: Wikipedia livius (article by Jona Lendering)

Jewish Encyclopedia (Search for Pilate) Catholic Encyclopedia

Catholic Encyclopedia (Letter of Pilate to Tiberius)

Classic Encyclopedia The Ecole Initiative

Smith’s Bible Dictionary

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