The Crucible Summary Chapter 6

For Jefferson, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. “The defense argued that Jefferson was innocent of all charges except being at the wrong place at the wrong time.” (Gaines, 7). For Jesus, Pontius Pilate asks the crowd he and Jesus were in front of, what they wanted to happen with him. “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” (Luke 23:22). In a way Pilate seems to be defending Jesus like the defendant in Jefferson’s trial, trying to see what the jury wants to happen, also trying to bail him out; “Though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) “But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41). “The fact that Mr. Gropé shot only Brother and Bear was proof of Jefferson’s innocence.” (Gaines, 7). Both Jesus and Jefferson were recognized as innocent by some and yet still received a death sentence. In the Old Testament, it was prophesized that Jesus would have done nothing wrong but still be convicted, as well as Jefferson was convicted for something he did not do.

Pilate fear that the people would consider him a traitor to Caesar, instead of a friend. Moreover, Pilate could not ignore the charges brought against Jesus. The Jewish council did not only charge him with blasphemy, besides, the political charges brought against him (misleading the people saying that he was Christ, the king). Such charge that was consider treason, Pilate could not ignore. Which lead to Pilate reacting in such manner. However, after finding no fault against Jesus Pilate refused the verdict. Nonetheless, they sought more charges against Jesus. Leaving Pilate with no choice but to hand him over to them.

Unlike Socrates, Jesus did not defend himself when he was being tried. He did not argue with the governor nor did he have a jury, at least a fair one. He was arrested forcefully and beaten. “They spat him in his face and struck him with their fist and beat him up.” (The New Testament, Matthew 26, pp 898) Jesus never retaliated back. Jesus mentions to the high priests of their wrong doing by arresting him as if he were a “highwayman.”

* Most of Antioch’s discussion regarding Pontius Pilate revolved around him being a “ruthless prefect” in his treatment of the Jews. Even so, Antioch seemed somewhat upset with the way the people forced Pilate into sentencing Jesus to death for the sake of his on position and reputation.

When the penultimate moment comes, and both men are asked by their judges to say something on their own behalf. Both men refuse. Pontius Pilate puts the question to Jesus, trying to get him to say anything to save himself. Through it all, Jesus keeps his mouth shut and insures his crucifixion. This silence is unusual for Jesus; he starts talking as an infant, teaching the teachers and keeps rapping for his entire life. His eloquent silence in the end tells more about his desire for death than anything he could say. Meursault’s moment comes at the end of his trial, when the judge asks if he has anything to say. Faced with the guillotine at the end of a sham trial, Meursault could have railed at the system or begged for forgiveness. Instead he chooses to say nothing. Saying anything at that point would have been banal; there was nothing relevant he could say. Nothing would change his fate. So that is what he chose to say. Christ chooses silence for his eloquence, using his silence to choose his death. Meursault chooses silence because there is nothing for him to say.

Even though Pilate is seen as very powerful, she cannot always protect everything that is precious to her. She attempts to help Hagar and prevent her from killing Milkman (129). Pilate loves both Hagar and Milkman and tries to protect them both. Despite her efforts Hagar cannot be controlled. She tries numerous times to hurt Milkman and does not stop until her death. Pilate knows that Hagar is slowly hurting herself and can only be stopped by Milkman, but she cannot make Hagar understand (130). Hagar is so demented that she kills herself because of her obsession. In the bible, Pilate is also ambiguous about what to do. He knows that Jesus is innocent, but he also knows that it will bring him trouble if he disobeys the people ( John 19:12).

Pontius Pilate, as Roman Governor, had a position to fulfill to the Roman population along with the Jewish community. During a time of Jewish Passover, along with the chaos Jesus had created, Pilate was under great influence from many outside factors. “The stir created by Jesus' preaching and the size of his following perturbed both the Roman and the Jewish authorities, fearful of any wind that might fan the smoldering discontent in Palestine into a raging flame of revolt.” (Hexter 62) In the Roman trial, Pilate was chosen to judge Jesus on the act of sedition, however counter to Hexter's perspective, repeatedly stated that he saw no case against him. In the Gospel of John, it is apparent that Pilate not only doesn't want to be involved but is puzzled at the situation at hand. “Your own nation and the chief of priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?” (John 18:33) Pilate is attempting to keep order in his city and rather not involve

In the bible each other has specific things and people groups he cares about. They each have a message that they want to send to those audiences. Because of this, the bible and the Gospels specifically don't tell us everything that was happening during those times. For the most part their emphasis was on Jesus. Thus, each of their accounts follows Jesus and wherever he goes. So certain characters in the story get brief reference or mention, characters like Pontius Pilate. In the bible Pontius is mentioned for only a few brief moments when he interacts with Jesus. Where he is known as the man who sentences Jesus to death. Although the Bible mentions Pilate's distaste and small voiced protest against the death penalty, he eventually gives into the Jew's request and sentences him to death (John 18-19). This book makes an attempt to understand Pilate's motives and perspectives. According to the book Pontius was a decent man who tried repeatedly tried to do the right thing and avoid despicable acts. He is said to be a good husband (158). a man disgusted by dishonorable acts such as John's beheading (153). On the same page it states he is a practical man who frequently tempered absolutes to suit circumstances. This book offers many insights to his character, but it

Just when it looks to the crowd as though Jesus will prove He is the Messiah by overthrowing the Roman government of Israel, the King is arrested, betrayed by a

Pontius Pilate did not want to sentence Jesus’s death and even tried saving him couple of times. For example, when Pilate was reminded that it was customary to free a prisoner during the festival, he tried to use this as an excuse to release Jesus. However, the people chose another person, Barabbas. Barabbas was a criminal who committed robbery and murder. People chose to save this criminal over someone who did not commit any sin. Pontius Pilate must have been really frustrated with this decision and how stubborn these people

There are two sides to every story, and sometimes we forget to look at the other side. Before I picked up Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier, I can honestly say I didn’t care so much for Pilate. All I remember based on what I was taught was that Pilate didn’t want Christ’s blood on his hands, so he took the easy way out. As sad as it was, that was my only extensive knowledge about who Pilot was, and how he untimely got to that decision to wash his hands clean of the situation.

This paper will explore deeper into the life of Pontius Pilate and examine his weaknesses, strengths, and accomplishments.

The Bible has been a well-known text that many people have based their religion off of and use to guide them through their life. The interpretation may be different depending on who wrote the chapter, when the story was written, and depending on the person who is reading the story. All of these factors contribute to how we read the Bible. Contingent on the context of the situation, Pilate may be portrayed as a negative, neutral, or positive figure in the Bible. Warren Carter’s book, Pontius Pilate: Portraits of a Roman Governor, states,” But in addition to exonerating him from any blame, this verdict claims that during Jesus’ trial Pilate recognizes Jesus’ special identity and so becomes a

Jesus doesn’t speak extensively in his own defense, remaining silent for much of his trial. Why doesn’t he argue his own case and use these final moments and this unique audience at his trial as a last chance for teaching?

He delivers the message that Yeshua wants the master to be granted peace. Yeshua does not possess the power to do this task himself and asks that Woland do it. Woland can obviously do it easily. The Master is given peace, not light in the end because he has acquiesced to the pressure on him from society. The master's one flaw is that he is a coward, like Pontius Pilate. Because of this one fact he is given peace, not light. Yeshua did not blame anyone for his death, furthermore he did not seize the opportunity to be free when he was offered it. Pontius Pilate has eternally tormented himself for being a coward and not doing anything to save Yeshua. Yeshua's intentions are rather clear when he gets Woland to bring the Master to free Pilate.