I must admit that there is a tinge of pity in me for Pontius Pilate. He was the Roman procurator, or governor, of Roman Palestine during the ministry years of Jesus. History tells us that he cared little for the Jewish people he ruled and less for their religion and what he saw as its endless trivialities. What he wanted was peace. Not that he abhorred violence, he could be as violent as the next Roman procurator, but it was peace that he needed in Palestine to prove to his superiors in Rome that he could govern well, which would in turn get him out of this God-forsaken corner of the empire and back to a rich and prosperous (and peaceful) province, where he could relax and enjoy the wealth and security of a Roman provincial. The Pharisees were throwing a wrench in his plans, as they were wont to do, by bringing before him a young fire-brand preac ...