The Pilate stone evidence for the crucifixion of Christ

The Pilate stone evidence for the crucifixion of Christ

Among the many attacks on the authenticity of the Bible, the denial of the very existence of Pontius Pilate has been stated many times. It was argued that there was no mention of his name in the pages of ancient literature but actually, three authors attest to him: the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (c. AD 37-100), the Jewish philosopher Philon of Alexandria (20 BC-AD 45) and the historian Roman Tacitus (AD 58-120).

The Pilate Stone: In 1961, an archaeological discovery was made in Caesarea Maritima, Israel, known as the “Pilate Stone” or the “Pilate Inscription.” It is a limestone block with a dedication to Emperor Tiberius, mentioning Pontius Pilate as the prefect of Judea. Pontius Pilate was a prefect of the Roman province of Judea from AD 26 to 36.
It was discovered at the archaeological site of Caesarea Maritima in 1961. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who ordered Jesus’ crucifixion, providing historical evidence of his existence and role in the region during that time. Pilate’s name has been discovered in stone. I have been to Israel myself and seen the stone with Pilate’s name on it.

The Jewish historian Josephus has works housed in Oxford within the Bodleian Library. The 600-year-old addition of Josephus’s war can be found in the sources link at the end of this video. Josephus was a Jewish aristocrat and highly admired. He ended up in Rome and wrote extensively about Jewish history. The Pilate stone is now housed in the Israel Museum.

The Pilate Stone recorded Pilate’s name and position in a dedication to the Emperor. The Stone is a piece of carved limestone and was damaged. From what archaeologists can read it’s a dedication stone saying:

To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum
… Pontius Pilate
… prefect of Judea
… has dedicated [this]

The Pilate Stone remains the only first-hand evidence of Pilate which many have claimed in the past he did not exist. </strong

Italian archaeologist Dr Antonio Frova and his team came across the Pilate Stone while excavating an ancient Roman theatre in Caesarea, Israel, which was built by the decree of King Herod, around 10 BC.

The stone thus provides material proof of the existence of the one who investigated the Roman trial of Jesus Christ and, through scepticism and cowardice, ended up condemning Him to death on the cross.

Pilate read the reports that he had from his officials and saw that it was quite clear that Jesus wasn’t leading a military revolution. There was simply no evidence against Jesus. Pilate said, ‘This man is innocent’. The crowd was angered by the verdict and began to shout for Jesus to be crucified. It’s worthwhile to mention in both the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed:

“suffered under Pontius Pilate,” (Apostles’ Creed)

“For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;” (Nicene Creed)

Sources
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2850/2850-h/2850-h.htm

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilate_stone#:~:text=It%20was%20discovered%20at%20the,%5BPont%5Dius%20Pilatus%22.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/3264829

fondazionecanussio.org/atti2011/Alfoldy.pdf

Cornelius Tacitus, texts (Annals, Chapter 15, paragraphs 54 and 55)

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