FOR FAIR USE EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES


In 1887, Rev. W.D. Mahan published a book titled THE ARCHKO VOLUME. His research took him to the Vatican in Rome, Italy and to Constantinople, Turkey. Among many other treasured writings, he located a letter written on a papyrus scroll to Caesar by Pontius Pilate dated about 31 A.D., following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Below is a testimony given by Pontius Pilate on this very delicate matter.



Excerpts from Pontius Pilate's letter written to Caesar. Page 131.



Among the various rumors that came to my ears there was one in particular that attracted my attention. A young man, it was said, had appeared in Galilee preaching with a noble unction a new law in the name of God that had sent him. At first I was apprehensive that his design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day in passing by the place of Siloe, 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 listening to him. His golden-colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about thirty years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance.



Pilate's first meeting with Jesus, pages 133-134



I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with him at the praetorium. He came. You know that in my veins flows the Spanish mixed with Roman blood, as incapable of fear as it is of weak emotion. When the Nazarene made his appearance, I was walking in my basilic, and my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement, and I trembled in every limb as does a guilty culprit, though the Nazarene was as calm as innocence itself. When he came up to me he stopped, and by a signal sign he seemed to say to me, "I am here," though he spoke not a word. For some time I contemplated with admiration and awe this extraordinary type of man, a type of man unknown to our numerous painters, who have given form and figure to all the gods and the heroes. There was nothing about him that was repelling in its character, yet I felt too awed and tremulous to approach him.



Pilate describes the mob at the crucifixion, page 141



Often in our civil commotions have I witnessed the furious anger of the multitude, but nothing could be compared to what I witnessed on this occasion. It might have been truly said that all the phantoms of the infernal regions had assembled at Jerusalem. The crowd appeared not to walk but to be borne off and 3hirled as a vortex, rolling along in living waves from the portals of the praetorium even unto Mount Zion, with howling screams, shrieks and vociferations such as were never heard in the seditions of the Pannonia, or in the tumults of the forum.



Pilate describes great noise and darkness at Golgotha, page 142



A loud clamor was heard proceeding from Golgotha, which, borne on the winds, seemed to announce an agony such as was never heard by mortal ears. Dark clouds lowered over the pinnacle of the temple and setting over the city covered it with a veil. So dreadful were the signs that men saw both in the heavens and on the earth that Dionysius the Aeropagite is reported to have exclaimed, "Either the author is suffering or the universe is falling apart"

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Pilate quoting Ben Isham, a sentry at the tomb, page 145



He said that, at about the beginning of the fourth watch they saw a soft and beautiful light over the sepulchre. He, at first, thought that the women had come to embalm the body of Jesus, as was their custom, but he could not see how they had gotten through the guards. While these thoughts were passing through his mind, behold the whole place was lighted up and there seemed to be crowds of the dead in their graveclothes. * All seemed to be shouting and filled the ecstasy, while all around and above was the most beautiful music he had ever heard; and the whole air seemed to be full of voices praising God.



Pilate's concluding remarks in his report, page 147



I am almost ready to say, as Manlius at the cross, "Truly this was the Son of God".

* Matt. 27:52-53 bears this out



Concerning the formal epitaph that was nailed to the cross which Pilate wrote. There are some interesting aspects to this incident that are not apparent to our English translation of John 19:19-20



"And Pilate wrote a title and put in on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS..." The Jewish leadership asked Pilate to change it. He refused. What we don't notice in the English translation is what the first letter of each word spells. YHWH, (YAHWEH), the name for God. If Pilate had written it like they wanted, it would not have spelled out the name of God. Did Pilate realize this? Was it deliberate? If so, he did it to upset the Jewish leadership, which he realized had delivered Him. Or did Pilate truly realize that Jesus, the Nazarene, was truly the Son of God?



gerlinda