The Pilate Stone (Pontius Pilate Inscription)

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The Pilate Stone (Pontius Pilate Inscription)

Source: Wikipedia + Israel Museum

URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilate_stone

Artifact Summary

  • Artifact: Pilate Stone (limestone dedicatory inscription)
  • Date: c. 1st century C.E.
  • Discovered: June 1961 at Caesarea Maritima, Israel
  • Discoverer: Italian archaeologist Maria Teresa Fortuna Canivet (Antonio Frova expedition)
  • Current location: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
  • Language: Latin
  • Biblical connection: Pontius Pilate, Roman prefect of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18–19)

Key Points

  • The stone is a fragmentary building dedication, probably from a temple (Tiberieum) honoring Emperor Tiberius.
  • The partially preserved inscription reads:

> [DIS AUGUSTI]S TIBERIÉUM

> […PONTI]US PILATUS

> […PRAEF]ECTUS IUDA[EA]E

> […FECIT D]E[DICAVIT]

  • Translation:

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

  • It is the earliest surviving and only contemporary archaeological inscription mentioning Pontius Pilate.

What It Corroborates

  • Pontius Pilate was a real historical figure and held the official title “Prefect of Judea” (Latin: praefectus Iudaeae).
  • Caesarea Maritima served as the Roman administrative capital of Judea, consistent with Pilate operating from there.
  • The New Testament’s description of Pilate’s office and role in Judea matches the Roman titulature of the period.

Status

The inscription is generally regarded as authentic because it was found in the provincial capital during Pilate’s known tenure. It does not prove the details of Jesus’ trial, but it confirms the central historical setting of the Gospels.

KJV Connection

  • Matthew 27:11–26
  • Mark 15:1–15
  • Luke 23:1–25
  • John 18:28–19:22

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