Event New Testament
The trial before Pilate
Also known as The Roman trial, Jesus before Herod, Barabbas released
At daybreak the council delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate questioned Him about being King of the Jews, found no basis for a charge, sent Him to Herod Antipas, who mocked Him and returned Him, and offered the crowd a Passover release. The crowd chose Barabbas. Pilate washed his hands, had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
Why it matters. The Roman governor declares Jesus innocent and condemns Him anyway. The Gospels fix the Passion in public history and show the King of the Jews judged by the powers of the age.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- AD 30 to 33 (approximate) (medium confidence, Passover week of the crucifixion under Pontius Pilate; AD 30 and AD 33 are the leading proposals)
The event belongs to the final week before the crucifixion, which is dated to AD 30 or AD 33 on calendrical grounds. FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: high
All four Gospels record the hearing before Pilate, his finding of no guilt, the Passover release of Barabbas, and the handing over for crucifixion. Luke alone records that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod Antipas; Matthew alone records Pilate's wife and the washing of hands; John records the fullest dialogue and the scourging within the trial. John's sixth hour (19:14) and Mark's third hour (15:25) are reckoned differently by readers; FaithGraph notes the difference.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
Peter denies Jesus precedes The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceAt morning the council hands Jesus to Pilate.
Evidence:The trial before Pilate precedes The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidencePilate hands Jesus over to be crucified and the soldiers lead Him away.
Evidence:Barabbas participates in The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceBarabbas is the prisoner the crowd asks Pilate to release instead of Jesus.
Evidence:Caiaphas participates in The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe chief priests, led by the high priest, hand Jesus over to Pilate and press for crucifixion.
Evidence:Herod Antipas participates in The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceLuke records Pilate sending Jesus to Herod, who questions and mocks Him and returns Him.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus stands before the governor and answers his question about kingship.
Evidence:Pontius Pilate participates in The trial before Pilate
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidencePilate questions Jesus, finds no guilt, offers the release, and hands Him over.
Evidence:The trial before Pilate occurs at Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe hearing takes place at the Praetorium in Jerusalem.
Evidence: