The Pilate Inscription
Pontius Pilate was the Roman official who governed Judea at the time of Jesus Christ. He was the one who sentenced Christ to death even though he was convinced that He was innocent (John 18:38; 19:4,6). He could have freed Him but because he feared the Jews, and gave in to their wishes.
Although the Bible mentions the name of Pilate several time, archeological evidence was not found for hundreds of years for this person. There was no evidence to prove that a man named Pilate lived in Judea and sentenced Jesus to death. And because of that, the skeptics and critics attacked the truthfulness of the Bible.
But God’s Word is true. For in 1961 an Italian archeological team led by Dr. Antonio Frova working in Caesarea discovered a carved limestone tablet, typical of the Roman province of Judaea from AD 26–36. The slap was found at the archaeological site of Caesarea Maritima. The slab measured 32 inches high, by 27 inches wide, by 8 inches thick. On it, were the remains of this simple title: “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea”— as the name and title given to this person in Luke 3:1.
This stone is known today as the “Pilate Inscription.” It is possible that Pontius Pilate made his place at Caesarea Maritima, a city that had replaced Jerusalem since AD 6 as his headquarters and capital of the province, and the site where the stone was discovered. The Pilate stone is currently located at the Israeli Museum in Jerusalem.
Many archaeological discoveries have proved the Bible’s accounts. The archaeologist Nelson Glueck wrote: “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible” (1959, p. 31). Thus, the archeological discoveries testify to the divine origin of the Bible.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
