A Roman governor of the predominantly Jewish Judea, Pontius Pilate is believed by some scholars to have had a turbulent relationship with those whom he governed. Historical accounts often depict Pilate as a cruel and violent ruler willing to use force to keep the people of Judaea in line. In one instance, it’s reported Pilate used Temple funds to build an aqueduct in Jerusalem. When a mob formed to confront Pilate, he had his troops brutally beat them until they dispersed.
But biblical texts show Pilate in a more sympathetic light, despite the fact that Pilate was the one who sentenced Jesus to death — and some even say Pilate went on to convert to Christianity. According to a collection of letters between Pontius Pilate and King Herod, Pilate spoke about seeing the risen Jesus and becoming riddled with guilt over his role in his death, saying, “When we saw him, all of us fell upon our faces before his feet. And I said with a loud voice, ‘I have sinned, O Lord, in that I sat and judged thee, who avengest all in truth.'” Learn more about Pontius Pilate, the Roman official who ordered Jesus’ crucifixion: https://inter.st/mfu5