The curious case of Mrs Pilate

St Matthew records that at the Roman trial of Jesus Mrs Pilate sends a message to Mr Pilate, even as he is dealing with Jesus and the Jewish Leaders, to the effect that she has a bad feeling about this. This detail is only found in Matt. Some Christians have concluded that she was a secret follower of Jesus. This is just about possible but very unlikely. Some sceptics have claimed that Matt made this up (without giving a reason why he should do so). I think there is a better explanation (got from J P Holding). Mrs P was of higher social status than Mr P. In other words, he married up. She would be motivated to maintain her social standing by protecting her husband, so she sends him a warning.

Remember that events are moving very fast, giving people little time to think and plan. What could she be warning him about? One possibility could be the threat of assassination, but this seems to be unlikely as Pilate would be well-protected. The other possibility is the threat of a set-up. This is very likely. The Leaders have arrested Jesus, but what can they do with him? Time is running out fast. The best outcome is for the Romans to do away with Jesus. This would give the Leaders, as we would now say, deniability if the people turned against them.

The problem is, they have turned up at Pilate's door without a proper indictment. What exactly are the Romans supposed to execute Jesus for? The Leaders have to work hard on this. Eventually Pilate gives them what they want, but demands a very high price - a swap with a real criminal, and the call of the crowd (probably picked for their support of the Leaders) that we have no king but Caesar. Pilate has apparently dodged this bullet and maintained the peace. That is what men of power do. They give you something you want, but the price is high.

How could Matt have obtained this information? The Passover holiday is near and Jerusalem is crowded with pilgrims. Pilate and his entourage had to make a temporary move to Jerusalem which is not the Roman HQ. Things will be chaotic with scope for security lapses. Matt himself was a customs official, and educated. He would have had business connections. He must have known Mary Magdalene and her chums. These were high status women with the wealth and leisure time to support the ministry of Jesus. They would have had important social connections. There would be opportunity to pick up details like this at some time. His gospel has a lot of detail in it, and is carefully structured around five discourses. It is thought to be a re-write or second edition. The mind behind it is one of precision and organisation.

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