The Role of Pontius Pilate in the Divine Drama

What role did Pontius Pilate play in this divine drama of salvation?

• Sometimes it is said that the mention of Pilate is simply for the sake of knowing when Christ died. 
• It used to be the custom to date events by mentioning the rulers of that time (cf. Luke 1:5; 2:2) 
• rather than by the year to which we are accustomed. 

However, Pilate’s name has a much more important purpose than just giving the date of Christ’s death. 

• We have to ask ourselves just who and what Pontius Pilate was.
• He was the Roman governor of Judea. 
• He was the highest Roman official in the land. 
• Pilate represented Caesar. 

Yet both Pilate and Caesar represented God. 

• For there is no authority except that which is given by God (cf. Romans 13:1). 
• Thus government rulers, even when they act sinfully, act on God’s behalf. 

Thus the judgment which Pilate gave was spoken on behalf of God (cf. 2 Chronicles 19:6, John 19:11, Romans 13:4). 

• It was God who judged Christ through Pontius Pilate, His representative. 
• A short while after Christ died, the Jews stoned Stephen to death,
• and they thought they had stoned Paul to death as well. (cf. Acts 14:19) 

Although the Jews had tried at times to kill Christ (cf. Luke 4:29; Matthew 26:4), 

• God would not permit Him to be killed by a street gang or an angry mob. 
• His death would follow an official, though hasty trial, 
• and a man acting on God’s behalf would order His execution.

In order to appreciate this more, we must also realize who Christ represented. 

• He represented you and me. 
• What really happened on the day when Pontius Pilate judged Christ? 
• God judged you and me. 
• The sentence Christ bore was the judgment of God for our sins.
• Christ bore God’s severe judgment that should have fallen upon us. 

Since we have been judged in Christ, 

• we do not have to fear the Day of Judgment that is to come.
• Payment has already been made for our sins.

From the Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 15: 

Q. Why did He suffer under Pontius Pilate as judge? 

• Though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge, 
• and so He freed us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.

Adapted Excerpt from Only By True Faith by Van Delden