Pilate’s Wife

The religious leaders brought Jesus to Pilate to be tried by him. He asked Jesus a few questions, then reported to the Jews that he could find no fault in Jesus. 

Giving them an opt-out from their pursuit to kill an innocent man, he reminded them of his Passover custom of releasing a condemned criminal. He asked if they wanted him to release Jesus. The other option was a notorious criminal named Barrabas.

While Pilate was sitting in the judgment seat, waiting for the people’s decision, he received a note from his wife.

“Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” (Matthew 27:19)

I’m sure this message caught Pilate by surprise, but he continued with the trial. By this time, the high priests had gone around and aroused the crowd, inciting them to plead for the release of Barabbas.

Confused, Pilate asked what they wanted him to do with Jesus.

“Let him be crucified!” (v. 22)

“Why, what evil has He done?” (v. 23)

But they keep repeating, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

Feeling overwhelmed, Pilate washed his hands in front of the multitude and told them that he was innocent of the blood of this just man. 

The people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” (v. 25)

Though Mrs. Pilate was unable to save Jesus, she had the peace of recognizing who Jesus was and doing her part to stand by Him. Though the Bible doesn’t tell us what happened to her, many historians believe that she was an early Christian.

I’m Sharon Wilharm, host of All God’s Women and author of Women of Prayer Bible study. Learn more about Pilate’s wife and all the other women in the Bible at my website at http://www.allgodswomen.com. 

Read about Pilate’s wife: Matthew 27:11-25

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