Pilate's Wife-Claudia Procula
Matthew gives the only brief glimpse into the life of Pilate's wife. Her importance for Matthew in his Gospel's narrative was the one moment when her life touched that of Jesus. Sending a note to Pilate during the trial she intervened trying to save Him because she had 'suffered many things this day in a dream because of him' the note said.
An apocryphal writer says that her name was Claudia Procula suggesting that she belonged to an influential noble family of Rome. The fact that she accompanied Pilate to Judea lends support to this theory because Roman law forbade pro-consuls to take their wives with them when they ruled in foreign lands.
Her reference to Jesus as 'that just man' suggests a previous accurate knowledge of Him. It is theorized that she had heard His message and was a secret follower of His like Nicodemus. Such a thing is not impossible as several historians have pointed out that Roman women of the day showed a great interest in Eastern faiths which offered more personal promise and satisfaction than Latin cults. In Rome itself a great number of women were initiated into the Mithraic religion.
Scripture does not tell what Pilate's reaction was to his wife's note. We can assume that according to scripture as it states he considered Jesus innocent, so logically, it had to strengthen his resolve to release Him. But, his weak character and lack of courage ruled the day that determined his final decision instead of his wife's counsel. The Greek Orthodox Church thought so highly of Claudia that she is revered as a saint by members of that denomination.1
''When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, 'Have thou nothing to do with that just man...'" Matthew 27:19
Matthew gives the only brief glimpse into the life of Pilate's wife. Her importance for Matthew in his Gospel's narrative was the one moment when her life touched that of Jesus. Sending a note to Pilate during the trial she intervened trying to save Him because she had 'suffered many things this day in a dream because of him' the note said.
An apocryphal writer says that her name was Claudia Procula suggesting that she belonged to an influential noble family of Rome. The fact that she accompanied Pilate to Judea lends support to this theory because Roman law forbade pro-consuls to take their wives with them when they ruled in foreign lands.
Her reference to Jesus as 'that just man' suggests a previous accurate knowledge of Him. It is theorized that she had heard His message and was a secret follower of His like Nicodemus. Such a thing is not impossible as several historians have pointed out that Roman women of the day showed a great interest in Eastern faiths which offered more personal promise and satisfaction than Latin cults. In Rome itself a great number of women were initiated into the Mithraic religion.
Scripture does not tell what Pilate's reaction was to his wife's note. We can assume that according to scripture as it states he considered Jesus innocent, so logically, it had to strengthen his resolve to release Him. But, his weak character and lack of courage ruled the day that determined his final decision instead of his wife's counsel. The Greek Orthodox Church thought so highly of Claudia that she is revered as a saint by members of that denomination.1
- Welcome to Tongues of Fire-Pastor Paul's Podcast-Episode #33 Pilate and the Cross Pt2
- Scriptures within the message are:
- Pilate and the Cross Pt 2 was originally recorded August 13, 1989
- Running Time: 63.5 File Size: 1:09 MB
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Tongues of Fire-Pastor Paul's Podcast-Episode #33 Pilate and the Cross Pt 2
Next Friday Listen to Episode #34- and Sunday Listen to Episode #35.
Two Episodes Weekly in March to Celebrate Easter
1 Jesus Loved Them, Sam Patrick and Omar Garrison pg 55
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