fbpx

KidsKonnect

Pontius Pilate Facts & Worksheets

Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor in charge of Judaea during the time of Jesus, from around 26 to 36 CE. He is most famous for overseeing the trial of Jesus and ordering his crucifixion. Historical records mention conflicts between him and the Jewish people.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Social Studies /Pontius Pilate Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Pontius Pilate was a Roman governor in charge of Judaea during the time of Jesus, from around 26 to 36 CE. He is most famous for overseeing the trial of Jesus and ordering his crucifixion. Historical records mention conflicts between him and the Jewish people. Some believe he was a harsh ruler, while others think he was more reasonable. Over time, Pilate’s story became a part of Christian beliefs and legends, with different interpretations of his character.

See the fact file below for more information about Pontius Pilate, or you can download our 26-page Pontius Pilate worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND

  • Not much is recorded about where Pontius Pilate came from or what his family was like before he became the governor of Judaea.
  • What has been speculated is that he probably grew up in a well-off Roman family with likely connections in politics or the military, which helped him get important jobs in the Roman government later on. 
  • Pilate might have worked in different roles within the government, learning how to be a leader and gaining experience that eventually led to him being chosen as the governor of Judaea.

GOVERNOR OF JUDAEA

  • Pontius Pilate was chosen as the governor of Judaea during the time of Emperor Tiberius, although there is no definitive recording of how he got that job.
  • Some historians think he served in that position for about ten years, starting in 26 CE.
  • His main role was supposed to be in the military, but he also had a lot of power in legal and government matters, such as deciding punishments and collecting taxes.
  • Pilate was in charge of appointing the Jewish High Priest and had a say in religious affairs.
  • While he shared some authority with local leaders, Pilate had a lot of control over what happened in Judaea.
  • He had a complex relationship with the Jewish leaders, like the High Priest, and also with Roman officials, especially the one in charge of Syria.
  • Some scholars think he worked closely with the Jewish authorities, while others believe there were tensions, especially with figures like Herod Antipas.
  • There has also been a debate about whether he had a special title as a “friend of Caesar.”
  • Even though not all the details about Pilate’s time as governor have been disclosed, his decisions and actions had a big impact on the people and the region of Judaea.

ENCOUNTERS WITH JEWS

  • Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judaea, and during his time, there were many problems and fights.
  • Without pinpointing exactly when these things happened, experts argue about when Pilate was in charge and how he dealt with the Jewish people.
  • Jewish historian Flavius Josephus once told the story about Pilate bringing Roman symbols with Caesar’s picture into Jerusalem.
  • This angered the Jewish people, so they protested outside Pilate’s house in Caesarea for five days until he took the symbols away. 
  • This event shows how Pilate’s support for Rome clashed with what the Jewish people believed.
  • Josephus also talked about when Pilate used money from the temple for something else.
  • This made the Jewish people very angry, and they protested.
  • Pilate responded with force, and some people got hurt in the process.
  • Another tale from Philo’s “On the Embassy to Gaius” is about Pilate putting up golden shields in Jerusalem, even though it was against Jewish rules.
  • The sons of Herod, the king of Judaea, didn’t like what Pilate had done, to the point where they said they would tell the emperor.
  • At first, Pilate did not listen to them, but later he took down the shields because he feared what might happen.
  • These stories show how Pilate’s decisions often worsened things and caused trouble among the people he ruled.

CONFRONTATIONS WITH JESUS

  • Pontius Pilate played a crucial role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a pivotal part of Jesus’s historical story.
  • Judaea was under Roman rule when Jesus lived, with Pontius Pilate serving as the governor.
  • Pilate’s main job was to keep order and uphold Roman law in a place where people had different religions and cultures.
  • The trial happened during a religious festival called the Passover, with Jesus being accused of claiming to be the King of the Jews and starting a rebellion.
  • The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their authority because he had a large following due to his teachings and healing. 
  • As Pilate did not find any proof of Jesus being a political danger or breaking Roman laws, he tried to let Jesus go and offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and a criminal named Barabbas.
  • Pilate’s wife warned him that Jesus was innocent, but the religious leaders pushed for Jesus to be crucified.
  • Though Pilate believed Jesus was innocent, he feared unrest if he didn’t do what the religious leaders wanted.
  • Pilate ended up giving in to political pressure, symbolically washing his hands to show he was not responsible for Jesus’ death but still ordering the crucifixion to keep the peace.

LATER LIFE

  • According to Josephus’ “Antiquities of the Jews,” Pontius Pilate faced trouble after a clash with armed Samaritans near Mount Gerizim.
  • This incident led to Pilate being called back to Rome for trial and he never returned to his governor position.Eusebius, a historian from the 4th century, wrote about Pilate’s alleged suicide. Some historians say that Pilate ended his own life out of shame, but there is no strong evidence to support this claim.
  • Pilate’s fate after he was recalled to Rome remains unclear. 
  • Some think he retired peacefully, while others believe he died by suicide. 

LEGACY AND IMPACT

  • Pontius Pilate’s famous washing of his hands to show he was not responsible for Jesus’ death remains a widely known symbol.
  • The saying “to wash your hands of something” means to avoid taking responsibility.
  • Pilate is mentioned in important Christian prayers called the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed, which talk about how Jesus suffered and died during Pilate’s time as a ruler.
  • Some churches, like the Ethiopian Church, think of Pilate as a saint and have a special day to honor him. 
  • However, some people criticize the Bible for blaming the Jewish leaders for Jesus’ death instead of Pilate.

Pontius Pilate Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Pontius Pilate across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Pontius Pilate. Some believe he was a harsh ruler, while others think he was more reasonable. Over time, Pilate’s story became a part of Christian beliefs and legends, with different interpretations of his character.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Pontius Pilate Facts
  2. Pilate’s Journey
  3. Pontius Puzzle
  4. Judaea or False?
  5. Who is Jesus?
  6. Image Analysis
  7. Cause and Effect
  8. Lessons Learned
  9. Encounters with Jews
  10. Pontius’ Poster
  11. Group Talks

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Pontius Pilate?

Pontius Pilate was a Roman prefect, serving as the governor of the Roman province of Judaea from 26 to 36 CE. He is most famously known for presiding over the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

What role did Pontius Pilate play in the trial of Jesus?

Pontius Pilate played a central role in the trial of Jesus. According to the New Testament accounts, he interrogated Jesus and found no basis for charges against him. However, under pressure from the Jewish authorities and fearing unrest, Pilate ultimately sentenced Jesus to be crucified.

How is Pontius Pilate portrayed in historical and religious texts?

Historical accounts of Pontius Pilate outside of religious texts are limited, but he is generally depicted as a pragmatic and often harsh ruler. In religious texts, particularly in the Christian tradition, he is often portrayed as a figure torn between his personal convictions and political expediency, symbolizing the struggle between justice and power.

What is the significance of Pontius Pilate in Christian theology?

In Christian theology, Pontius Pilate’s role in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus is significant as it represents the responsibility of human beings for the death of Jesus, as well as the concept of divine sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Pilate’s famous question to Jesus, “What is truth?” is also often interpreted in theological discussions about the nature of truth and the human condition.

What happened to Pontius Pilate after the trial of Jesus?

  1. The historical accounts of Pontius Pilate after the trial of Jesus are uncertain. Some historical sources suggest that he faced criticism and even possible recall to Rome due to his handling of certain affairs in Judaea. However, there is no definitive historical record of his fate after his term as prefect. According to Christian tradition, he is said to have eventually been removed from his position and possibly committed suicide.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Pontius Pilate Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 8, 2024

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources