[Music] [Music] did Pontius pilot write a report to the Roman Emperor Tiberius concerning Jesus encompassing his miracles trial crucifixion and Resurrection does this report contain amazing details not even found in the Gospels also what does the pilot Stone discovered at the archaeological site of caesaria maritima in 1961 ad tell us about Jesus crucifixion that's what we're talking about today so let's begin a document exists known as the acts of pilate it was first contained in an apocryphal book the acts of Peter and Paul said to be written in the first century but it was included
intact as an earlier original document supposedly from Pilot himself it was was also then included in a fourth Century apocryphal book The Gospel of Nicodemus but is it a factual account or a factual account that was embellished a little by Christians or totally fabricated Scholars are divided some ancient writers believe that pilate did send such a report and it makes some sense as in the report pilot indicates that Herod octopus was speaking badly of pilot to Caesar and pilate wanted to defend himself before the emperor that is a logical reason to have written a report
and one must ask if anyone fabricating a report would have added a detail like this it really seems unlikely in ad 138 Justin Marr the early Church Father wrote to Roman Emperor Antonius pi and referred him to Pilot's report these exact words this exact report this is a key piece of evidence obviously the report was common knowledge in and around 150 ad and was preserved in the Imperial archives in Rome in order for the emperor posos to have been able to have read it here is part of what Justin Mar wrote to Caesar and after
he was crucified those who crucified him cast lots for his garments and divided them among themselves to make them more satisfied then another Church Father tulan relayed an account that tiberious Caesar even tried to have Jesus added to the Roman party on of gods based on Pilot's report now whether that's true or not we don't know there is no record of it in the Roman archives but it does show that at least early Christians held the acts of pilate in high regard not only did Christians hold it in high regard but the enemies of the
Cross did as well Pontius Pilot's letter to Emperor Tiberius serves as a crucial historical artifact fact shedding light on the events surrounding Jesus Christ's crucifixion its significance is underscored by the efforts of emperor maximan in ad 311 who orchestrated a counterfeit version of these acts aiming to undermine Christianity's influence this manipulative tactic suggests the profound impact the original acts of pilot had within the Empire by delving into this document through a series of episodes analyzing Pilot's words and providing commentary we aim to offer insight into this pivotal moment in history join us on this journey
by subscribing to our series ensuring you don't miss a single episode we commence with the opening lines of Pilot's letter to Emperor Tiberius Pontius pilot to the emperor Tiberius greeting recent events in my Province have been of such a character that I thought I would give the details as they have occurred as I should not be surprised in the course of time they may change the destiny of our nation for it seems of late that the gods have ceased to be propitious I am almost ready to say cursed be the day that I seceded Valerius
gratus in the government of Judea it seemed to me of all conquered cities Jerusalem was the most difficult to govern so turbulent were the people that I lived in momentary dread of an Insurrection to suppress it I had but a single Centurion and a handful of soldiers I requested a reinforcement from the prefect of Syria who informed me that he had scarcely troops sufficient to defend his own Province and inate thirst for Conquest to extend our Empire beyond the means of Defending it I fear will be the means of destroying our Noble Empire those were
the words of Pontius Pilate pause and reflect on the significance of this passage Pilot's communication to Caesar suggests a startling Revelation Jerusalem's defense rested upon a single Centurion within his cohort typically comprised of only a 100 soldiers Valerius greatus the predecessor of Pontius Pilate expressed his frustrations with governing Judea he considered Jerusalem to be exceptionally difficult to govern due to the turbulent nature of its people this sets the stage for Pilot's subsequent account of the precarious situation he inherited Pilot's account reveals the inadequacy of military resources for maintaining order in Jerusalem despite the city's potential
for unrest he had only a single Centurion and a handful of soldiers this shortage of troops highlights the precariousness of Roman control in the region and the challenges of quelling potential uprisings the document also alludes to the broader context of Imperial overextension pilot expresses concern about the Empire's unsustainable expansion Beyond its capacity to defend its territories this hints at the strain on Roman resources and the potential ramifications for the Empire's stability Pilots apprehensions about the consequences of overextension and the inadequacy of military resources foreshadow the events that unfold later in the narrative these concerns likely
play a significant role in Pilot's decision-making process including his handling of Jesus trial and crucifixion as we delve deeper into the document we will uncover how this shortage of troops played a pivotal role in pilate's decision to order the crucifixion of Jesus now let's get back to Pilot's words among the various rumors that came to my ears there was one that attracted my attention in particular a young man it was said had appeared in Galilee preaching with a noble unction a new law in the name of the gods that had sent him at first I
was apprehensive about his design to stir up the people against the Romans but soon my fears were dispelled Jesus of Nazareth spake rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews one day in passing by the place of Silo where there was a great Concourse of people I observed in the midst of the group a young man who was leaning against a tree calmly addressing the multitude I was told it was Jesus this I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between him and those who were listening to him his golden
colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a Celestial aspect he appeared to be about 30 years of age never have I seen a sweeter or more Serene countenance what a contrast between him and his hearers with their black beards and tny complexion okay we need to comment on this as well because I believe this is the only recorded explanation of Jesus's appearance in all historical documents this particular interest is the description of him as having blonde hair and a beard the inclusion of this detail raises questions about its authenticity was it an addition made
by later scribes copying the document or did Jesus indeed have lighter colored hair and beard compared to his contemporaries my guess is it's an add-on by the those who copied this document over the years but we don't know it's certainly intriguing now back to Pilot unwilling to interrupt him by my presence I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen my secretary's name was manalus he was the grandson of the chief of the conspirators who encamped in atya Waiting Catalina manalus was an ancient inhabitant of Judea and well acquainted
with the Hebrew language he was devoted to me and worthy of my confidence on entering the pretorium I found manalus who related to me the words that Jesus had pronounced at Silo never have I heard in the pedo nor in the works of the philosophers anything that can compare to the maximums of Jesus one of the rebellious Jews so numerous in Jerusalem having asked him if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar Jesus replied Render unto Caesar the things which belong to Caesar and unto God the things that are Gods it was on account
of the wisdom of this saying that I granted so much Liberty to the Nazarene for it was in my power to have him arrested and exiled to Pontius but this would have been contrary to the Justice which has always characterized the Romans the man was neither seditious nor rebellious I extended to him my protection unknown perhaps to himself self he was at Liberty to act to speak to assemble and address the people and to choose disciples unrestrained by any pretorian mandate but this unlimited Freedom granted to Jesus provoked the Jews not the poor but the
rich and Powerful it is true that Jesus was severe on the latter and this was a political reason in my opinion not to control the liberty of the Nazarene scribes and Pharisees he would say to them you are a race of vipers you resemble paint sepers at other times he would sneer at the proud alms of the Publican telling him the might of the poor Widow is more precious in the sight of God new complaints were daily made at the pretorium against the insolence of Jesus I was even informed that some Misfortune would befall him
that it would not be the first time that Jerusalem had stoned those who called themselves prophets and that if the pretorium refused Justice an appeal would be made to Caesar however my conduct was approved by the Senate and I was promised a reinforcement after the termination of the parthian war being too weak to suppress a sedition I resolved upon adopting a measure that promised to establish the Tranquility of the city without subjecting the pratorum to humiliating concession this indicates that pilate hesitated to crucify Jesus opting instead to hand him over to quell the political unrest
of the time and prevent potential uprisings now let's delve into some artifacts associated with pilate and examine what they reveal about the death of Jesus what does the pilot Stone say about Jesus crucifixion the pilot Stone also known as the pilot inscription is an ancient artifact discovered in 1961 near cesaria maritima in Israel it is a dedicatory inscription on a limestone block and is significant because it provides archaeological evidence of the ex existence of Pontius Pilate the Roman governor of Judea who is mentioned in the New Testament accounts of Jesus trial and crucifixion the inscription
on the pilot Stone reads to the Divine austi this tiberium Pontius pilot prefectus UD translated it means to the Divine austi this tiberium Pontius Pilate prefect of Judea cesaria maritima is located along the Mediterranean coast of Israel cesaria maritima was a significant ancient city and administrative Center during Roman times the stone was found reused in the staircase leading up to a theater at the site it was identified by archaeologists due to the Latin inscription carved into the Limestone block if you made it this far we say thanks for staying and let's hear about what you
think about the acts of pilot whether it's legit or not stay tuned bye
