2021 - Pontius Pilate

Who disturbs the governor?

The first time we see Pilate is when he is roughly called out by the unruly Jewish crowd.

The Roman Guards are holding the line with the Centurion standing beside Pilate, watching for any trouble - more than the usual trouble anyway.

Caiaphas demands Pilate take this Jesus fellow and kill him.

But Pilate is in charge and doesn't like being told what to do. Also, he has an innate sense of Roman justice and these things are supposed to be done properly. This is why he demands to know what charges are brought against Jesus.

He doesn't care that Jesus calls himself the messiah or any other Jewish fairy tale, "Am I a Jew?"

Then he hears that Jesus has been preaching all around Galilee. Aha! That is Herod's jurisdiction.

Happily he sends them away and lets Herod sort it out.

They're back.

Meanwhile, Pilate's wife Claudia had a dream and tells Pilate he should have nothing to do with Jesus.

And downstairs, the Jews return forcing Pilate to deal with Jesus.

But he has a great plan, "Who is the worst criminal murderer that we have in the depths of the prison that not even the Jews would want to see released?"

"That would be Barrabas," replied the Centurion without any pause.

Pilate asks the crowd who they want, Christ or Barrabas. To Pilate's shock, they choose Barrabas. His second attempt failed.

Scourge him but don't kill him!

"I will scourge him and then he will go free!"

Pilate has a new plan which should satisfy his sense of Justice.

Meanwhile, the Roman soldiers exceed their instructions and Jesus is severely scourged and maltreated. But he is not killed.

Jesus is sent back to Pilate's chambers and Claudia caught up with Pilate to strengthen his resolve.

That man is innocent!

"That man is innocent!" cried Claudia.

Pilate goes back to once more go over the state of affairs with Jesus and work out how he might release him.

Pilate tries to shock them by presenting the bloodied and beaten Jesus, "Behold! The man!"

But Caiaphas and the Jews can taste victory. They call for Crucifixion and get the crowd to join them.

Pilate sat down in the judgement seat

Now Pilate is facing a possible insurrection. 

He even coaxes the Jews by asking, "What? Shall I crucify your king?"

And Caiaphas replied, probably mockingly at the the "ruler" of Jerusalem, "We have no king but Caesar."

Now Pilate is backed into a corner. He can't release a self proclaimed king and the Jews are about to revolt - again - if he doesn't condemn him.

Washing his hands he declares, "I am innocent of this man's blood, it is your concern. Centurion, do as they ask."

Can I have the body of Jesus?

But there is still more for Pilate to do. He has Joseph of Aramathea come to him asking for the body.

Surprised that Jesus is dead so soon, he agrees.

Then the Sanhedrin come to him demanding he place guards on the tomb in case Jesus' followers steal the body.

"You now have guards, away with you, make it as secure as you wish."

There is a lot of dialogue to remember in the play and much to and fro between Pilate, Caiaphas and Jesus with instructions to the Centurion.

I think Pilate has mastered the look of disdain for all these troublesome Jews.