What was Pontius Pilate's role?

• A. The Jewish high priest
• B. The Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to death
• C. One of Jesus's apostles
• D. A member of the Sanhedrin

Answer: (B)

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea, the official in charge under Roman authority. In that role he presided over Jesus’ trial and, ultimately under pressure from Jewish leaders and the crowd, authorized Jesus’ crucifixion. This distinguishes him from the Jewish high priest or the Sanhedrin, who were local religious authorities seeking the death sentence under Jewish law, and from Jesus’ apostles, who were his followers. The key point is that Pilate represents Roman political authority with the power to sentence capital punishment.