Topical Encyclopedia Pilate's wife is a figure mentioned briefly in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew. Her account is found in the context of the trial of Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. Although her appearance in the biblical narrative is brief, it has sparked considerable interest and speculation throughout Christian history.Biblical Account The sole mention of Pilate's wife occurs in Matthew 27:19 : "While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.'" This verse highlights her attempt to influence Pilate's decision regarding Jesus, urging him to avoid involvement in the condemnation of an innocent man. Role and Significance Pilate's wife's intervention is significant for several reasons. First, it underscores the theme of innocence surrounding Jesus, as even a Gentile woman, presumably unfamiliar with Jewish messianic expectations, recognizes His righteousness. Her dream, which she describes as causing her great suffering, suggests a divine warning or revelation, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the innocence of Jesus. Her message to Pilate also serves to heighten the dramatic tension in the narrative. Pilate is portrayed as a conflicted figure, aware of Jesus' innocence yet pressured by the crowd and Jewish leaders to authorize His crucifixion. The warning from his wife adds another layer to his internal struggle, highlighting the moral and spiritual dimensions of his decision. Historical and Cultural Context In the Roman world, dreams were often considered omens or messages from the divine. Pilate's wife's dream would have been taken seriously, especially given the Roman belief in the gods' involvement in human affairs. Her willingness to send a message to her husband during such a critical moment indicates the urgency and seriousness with which she regarded the dream. The identity of Pilate's wife is not provided in the biblical text, leading to various traditions and speculations. Some early Christian writings and traditions have named her Procula or Claudia Procula, and in certain Eastern Orthodox traditions, she is even venerated as a saint. However, these identifications are not supported by the canonical Scriptures. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, Pilate's wife's warning can be seen as part of the broader narrative of divine testimony to Jesus' identity and mission. Her acknowledgment of His innocence aligns with other testimonies in the Gospels, such as those of John the Baptist, the centurion at the crucifixion, and even the natural world through signs and wonders. Her role also highlights the universal scope of Jesus' mission. As a Gentile, her recognition of Jesus' innocence prefigures the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to the Gentile world. Her dream and subsequent message to Pilate serve as a reminder of the divine orchestration present in the events leading to the crucifixion and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 27:19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have you nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Nave's Topical Index Library Back to Pilate The Embalming of the Body of Jesus. Jesus Led Back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate. Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel. The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion Jesus Condemned to be Crucified. Index i. Of Subjects Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ Resources What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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