And there were seen in that terror dead men raised up, as the Jews that saw them said: We have seen Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, that died two thousand five hundred years ago; and we have seen Noah manifestly in the body. My emissaries informed me danger was pressing. They were forced during three and a half years to swallow those bitter pills which the Nazarene flung in their faces whenever He met them in public; and, being so extremely weak and cowardly they did not find courage enough to take measures as might have been desirable. The day of the Passover approached. After some time I came to love this fertile and rich province which my husband had to rule in the name of Rome, the master of the nations. Forgive me, Fulvial Bewail me and pray for me! People call Him Prophet of the Truth, but His Disciples hold that He is the Son of God.that is to say, the Son of Him who created the heaven and earth and all that has ever existed, exists, and will still exist in all eternity. Salome and Semida looked at me with fear, for they saw in me always the wife of the persecutor and hunter of their Lord. It was Jesus of Nazareth. Privacy Policy She had the gift of second sight. ce he offered for all of us that we might be saved! I, the governor of the revolting province, stood leaning against a column of my palace and reflected upon the terrible step these evil men who dragged the innocent Nazarene to the place of execution were taking. to deal with the Nazarene. The full text of Claudias letter can easily be found on the internet. In this same night which followed that unexpected catastrophe I started to write down this report, and in the morning the sound of bugles, paying the air of Diana, coming from the direction of Calvary (Golgotha) reached my ear. Then the emperor commanded him to be kept in prison till he should take counsel with the wise men what ought to be done with him. Originally published by Liberty Publishing Association, Christchurch, New Zealand. Being it known that admitting this to Tiberius Caesar would have severe results and he was already planning his suicide. You say so, answered Jesus. I like your use of external references. The Jewish people, nowadays, re-examine Jesus trial and nd him guiltless, and their ancestors guilty of the crime of the murder of the of God. But you will protect Him, isnt that so? The Song of Moses and Miriam attributes of God that are equally applicable to every Christian follower today. At last, after a sign given by my husband, silence was restored. Thanks. Upon Jesus Christ, whose case I had clearly set forth to thee in my last, at length by the will of the people a bitter punishment has been inflicted, myself being in a sort unwilling and rather afraid. Further, it is remarkable Lentulus did not (as godless occultists philosophers of our day maintain) mention that Jesus had learned chiromantic and fakir-like miracle working somewhere in Egypt or India. When Jewish representatives demonstrated in Caesarea, Pilates city of residence, he threatened them with death unless they desisted, but, when they showed their readiness to die, he ordered the images removed. For Vienne means, as it were, Way of Gehenna, because it was then a place of cursing. Historical and traditional accounts of the life of Pontius Pilate The result of Pilate's wife dream was not the saving of Jesus Christ's life. She was still more beautiful in the heavenly restfulness which lay upon her but her forehead was of a pale pinkish colour like the rose which had been placed on her. The German professor applied to Father Freilinghusen, Director of the Museums in the Vatican, who procured for him an English translation of the document and forwarded it to the applicant. ^ Issana Press - this company published a version of Claudia's purported letter ("A Letter from Pontius Pilate's Wife") in the booklet Relics of Repentance ISBN 0-9625158-2-5 They are the only example in the history of the Church of saints spouses commemorated on the same day. Immediately after our departure from the temple I had to go with Pontius to the province to which he had been appointed. Salome stood by her side, benumbed and almost without any feeling. What been written in the books of the Prophets must be fulfilled.. The letter of Pilates wife throws further light upon the events in connection with the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and further con, rms the authenticity of the Gospels. I went to the stairs, and here I met the centurion who was present at the crucixion of Jesus. All these people burned from anger and envy, and it appeared to me that in their faces an infernal. The Hebrews, for instance, maintained that they had every right of religious liberty. At the actual meeting the bench consisted only of celebrities of the Jewish race who, from the outset, had promised and declared that they would hear the case according to its merits and with complete justice, and correct any mistake made in the judgment of olden times. News without bias or noise. No community reviews have been submitted for this work. He was therefore fastened to a great block of stone and sunk in the river Tiber. The latter were distinguished by parchment rolls containing various texts of the laws, which they had bound to their heads. (Exodus 15:1 15:21). I saw a column of troops approaching, and heard the sound of trumpets playing the march of the Emperor.. Herod says in one letter his daughter Herodias was playing in a pool with ice when the ice broke and cut off her head. His disciples flourish, not belying their master by their behavior and continence of life; nay, in his name they are most beneficent. I found with theminstead oi kindness and welcomedistrust, which kept them trembling, and I immediately ceased my visits. I remember Semidas voice sounding like the strings of the harp when she sang the holy hymn to the wise and great king of Israel, and often in my loneliness and beside the cradle of my son I tried to play to Him on my instrument. I asked. There sat Pontius, his face covered with his hands. Alternate Christian traditions have referred to her as Saint Procula (also spelled Proculla or Procla) or Saint Claudia, and the combinations Claudia Procles (Latin: Claudia Procls) and Claudia . I leaned out of the opening and saw the traces of spilt blood. And the moon, which was like blood, did not shine all night long, although it was at the full, and the stars and Orion made lamentation over the Jews, because of the transgression committed by them. Which He Wrote to the Roman Emperor, Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ. Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. down to Jeremiah, who predicted Zions fall, arose from the graves. For this is the consummation of the world, that they consented that the Gentiles should become heirs. Once these issues have been addressed, the article can be renominated. In this present work the suffering of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the full trial of His life have been described, so that all might have an opportunity to recognise the path where- in he should walk to obtain eternal life. And on the first of the week, about the third hour of the night, the sun was seen such as it had never at any time shone, and all the heaven was lighted up. And as many were exciting an insurrection against me, I ordered him to be crucified. I was warned that a disaster would befall this man. In John (19:711), Pilate is depicted as having accepted the Christian interpretation of the meaning of Jesus, and he rejects Jewish leaders reminder that Jesus has merely said that he is the king of the Jews (19:21). A conspiracy was brewing over His head, and it might be that on this evening He would be delivered into the hands of the High Priest. Sometimes they spoke to me of the God of their ancestors, and read parts of their holy books. Do not harm others; this I order you. As far as Christs trial, his dispatch to Herod, and the latters reconciliation with Pilate are concerned, Pilates letter confirms in detail, all the statements of the Gospels. The Gospel says nothing about this incident. cation then did he order Jesus to be beaten? Written in Jerusalem this twenty-eight day of march (the 4147th year, according to the Hebrew reckoning, 4037th year according to English reckoning, since the creation of the world.. Manlius is of a old Judaic family, and therefore speaks Hebrew language perfectly. That man has never caused any harm to a single person. No, said she, but with a pious sentiment of devotion. And my wife, in great anguish, said, God of heaven and of earth, God of Israel, reward me not according to the deeds of Pontius Pilate, nor according to the will of the children of Israel, nor according to the thought of the sons of the priests; but remember my husband in thy glory! This woode, Christ (Wedding Icon in Textile Oklad) And if they demanded this unrighteously, how didst thou transgress the law and command what was far from righteousness? He said his religion forbade him and his subordinate to sit at ones and the same table with Roman and to feast with them (to participate in drinking orgies). Protected by Sejanus, Pilate incurred the enmity of Jews in Roman-occupied Palestine by insulting their religious sensibilities, as when he hung worship images of the emperor throughout Jerusalem and had coins bearing pagan religious symbols minted. Need help? 10, says of the causes of Pilates death. And Csar said to him, Most impious one, when thou sawest so great signs done by that man, why didst thou dare to do thus? The curtains in the Temple have been torn in two; the sun became dark as if it were in mourning. The English version of the letter was provided by writer Catherine Van Dyke "--P. 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. I saw Him in my dream last night. Greeting: I have been informed of the audacity perpetrated very recently by the Jews inhabiting Jerusalem and the cities round about, and their lawless doing, how they compelled Pilate to crucify a certain god called Jesus, through which great transgression of theirs the world was darkened and drawn into ruin. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Historical and traditional accounts of the life of Pontius Pilate, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pontius-Pilate, World History Encyclopedia - Pontius Pilate, McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Pontius Pilate, Sagrada Famlia: sculpture of Pontius Pilate. His face shone in majesty like the sun. This Historic letter written by Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar Letter is from the "Archko Volume" containing manuscripts, in Constantinople, and the Records of the Senatorial Docket, taken from the Library at Rome, Translated by Drs. All these people burned from anger and envy, and it appeared to me that in their faces an infernal re was shining. first published in English by Pictorial Review Magazine in April 1929. It was written on red stone in Hebrew, and was carefully preserved in an iron box which was placed in another box of marble. whose eyes, amed with anger. It seems, in Galilee there had appeared a young man who preaches to people if high and low standing another law in Gods name, praising Him. It is therefore quite possible that she may have joined the Synaxis of Christs apostles and their disciples. And as the messenger returned to his lodgings he met a certain woman named Veronica, who had been acquainted with Jesus, and he said, O woman, there was a certain physician in this city, who healed the sick by his word alone, why have the Jews slain him? Go with the child in the garden! We may, therefore, certainty, infer that the twenty-four old men seen by St, John in his visions described in Revelation 4, 4-5, 8-9, are some of those who came to life when our Lord Jesus Christ arose. What is your request? ghts with German and other peoples. The fate of Pontius Pilate after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is disputed among historians. Can you add one? But Herod, with the children of Israel, constrained me to do evil unto thee. I saw Jesus, appearing as she had described their God. Her dream conrms the vision in St. Johns Revelation, 6,16-17., Curious things happen in our days. re of hell I noticed the faces of these who exacted His death. And I suffered many things, till that I was laid in the sepulchre. Paul L. Maier Pontius Pilate - A Novel (Paperback) (US IMPORT) 9780825443565 | eBay The nger of death had left its traces round her eyes and her concealed lips. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Suspicious even of those to whose demand he had yielded, his life became poisoned with torment. The day grew dusky, similar to that on which the Emperor Julius the Great died, an event which also took place in the middle of the month of march. cant is the wisdom of our great teachers, compared with the doctrine which God Himself promised to send to us! Thus amidst this town about to revolt, I found myself in a position where I had only a handful of soldiers at my disposal, same of them of the old guard, and had no power to suppress the rebellion, but was forced to bring Him forth. Josephus tells us that in order to abolish Jewish laws, and with the intent of diminishing privileges Jews had hitherto enjoyed, Pilate ordered his troops to encamp in Jerusalem and sent them into the city with images of the emperor attached to their ensigns. Procla, know that in the covenant which God gave to the fathers, it is said that every body which had perished should live by means of my death, which ye have seen. And all the multitude walked about, and sang praises to God with aloud voice, saying: The Lord our God that has risen from the dead has brought to life all the dead, and has plundered Hades, and put him to death. . From the original a copy was prepared and sent, about the year 1643, to the Constantinopolitan bishop Dionysius. Any manuscripts of them which do exist are forgeries or much later copies. . Take care and do not raise your profane hand against Him. I found great pleasure in visiting his wife, Salome, who proved to be a model of kindness, and she also showed it in relation to her daughter, Semida, of 12 years of age. He sent the prisoner to me that I might pronounce the sentence on Him. Woe to the holy abode!. But you still need to be informed about events around you. On another occasion He became angry with them because of their exasperating fasting and opulent gifts they received from the rich, and told them, before God, one mite from the poor widow was more appreciated than their expensive gifts. One of the Roman centurions was insulted, so I requested the Prefect of Syria to send me directly one hundred infantry and as many cavalry, but he refused to send me these troops. He very seldom contacts high society. Some days later the High Priest came to me and excused himself. Her eyes opened, a tender expression of life returned again to her lips and, stretching out her hands, she called, ,, Mother! He shall be crucied, cried the angry crowd. These catastrophes serve as a terrible warning for all people, but especially for religious leaders and judges. When I came to their house, my servants could only with great difficulty force a way for me through the throng, for many mourners and a large crowd had gathered before my friends home. She says that they were some of the prophets and priests. The welfare of the province, entrusted to me, requires it. This Gospel spread over the whole empire. thundered again the voice of the furious crowd. Oh, how profound are these wise words and how much peace and mercy are to be found in them! The statement related above exactly corroborates with the Holy Scriptures reports. But they had one heresy against him, that he said the Sabbath was not their proper rest. After these words he went out and left me alone, and I shed bitter tears in my hopelessness and pity. He was free to work, to speak, and to arrange gatherings, preach to the people and to select disciples, as long as He did not offend Praetorian regulations. And my wife, again, through all her grief for her daughter, is become blind in her left eye, because we desired to blind the Eye of righteousness. Doubt and deadly fear were written in his face. God tells us this by these miracles. And he did another yet more mighty work, which had been strange even among our gods, he raised from the dead one Lazarus, who had been dead four days, commanding by a word alone that the dead man should be raised, when his body was already corrupted by worms which bred in his wounds. i. He had risen again. According to popular apocryphal writings, complicity in the killing of Christ gave Pontius Pilate a guilty conscience that left him sleepless for many years and sent him looking for a way to wash away his iniquity. He took Semidas hand, and turning His powerful look on her, He said, Maid, arise! He offended these proud and pompous people, and the outlook for the Nazarenes future is very dark. According to some historical documents, it has been assumed that Pontius Pilate, like Judas, ignoring the forgiving mercy of God, committed suicide. A Letter from Pontius Pilate's Wife Catherine Van Dyke Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1929 - 53 pages 0 Reviews Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's. Thank goodness we have over 5000 pieces No 6000 of the New Testament in 7 different families. So, by virtue of which Roman law did he order the innocent prisoner to be scourged and cruci. Alone the steps, drops of blood the Nazarene had spilt were to be seen. A guard went away to accompany the horsemen, and the centurion, displaying the appearance of a tottering power, took care to maintain order. He also had some difficulties due to a complaint sent to him by Mary Magdalene with respect to his unjust measures. S0 great was their blindness that it has obscured their minds to the present day. Subscribe to the Bible Blender Newsletter. For the faithful testimony to His teaching some. The gospel speaks of his teaching and wisdom, and how people were amazed when they heard His word. Thus ended this fateful day. Please look out for the Older Posts link at the bottom of each page if using the search field or if you have clicked on a category. The crowds of people were joined by guards and servants, Levites and Pharisees. The procession generally took place on Thursday. What is the point of Thrower's Bandolier? Jesus, I said to Him at last, and for three successive years I gave you great freedom to speak, and I do not know whether you have read of Socrates or Plato, but I can tell you that in your preaching, so great a modesty comes to light that it will raise you above all these Philosophers. At precisely 4 oclock in the morning the law courts were closely packed and the assistance of the police was required to prevent the public from breaking in the doors. When Jesus was crucified it was that cold for ice? Deliver Him to us, so that He may die on the cross! : Pontius again ordered them to be silent, and said to them : I. nd no guilt in this man and I acquit Him. Herein the judges of our days might. Soon the noise came nearer and nearer, and the stairs which led up to the law courts were beset with an innumerable crowd. He had participated in seven wars, was brave and hardened by many ghts with German and other peoples. Do not punish her too in my sin, but forgive us, and number us in the portion of thy just ones. I would say probable forgery. When you buy books using these links the Internet Archive may earn a small commission. oor. Her dream con, rms the vision in St. Johns Revelation, 6,16-17., Curious things happen in our days. roared the unhappy and mad people who swarmed round Jesus. And while you probably seldom think of me, I hope you will read this . JESUS NAZARENUS REX JUDAEORUM in Latin. My husband, weary and under compulsion, was forced at last to yield. The death of the Nazarene! was the answer. And but one synagogue remained in Jerusalem, for all the synagogues which had been against Jesus were overwhelmed. The bible gives us no details about the dream or the nature of the suffering. Destroy me not, therefore, for this my sin, nor be mindful of the evil that is in me, O Lord, and in thy servant Procla who standeth with me in this the hour of my death, whom thou taughtest to prophecy that thou must be nailed to the cross. May I please use this material in a book I am writing. It's public domain; you can download it from Internet Archive. There is to follow another document of greater historical and religious value. I once heard Him saying to the Pharisees: Whited sepulchres, breed of vipers, you impose heavy burdens upon your brethren, but you do not lift a nger for them. I shared with him my leisure hours, my sorrows and my joys. Your eyes are not made to watch such a frightful spectacle. Dr Blandeisler unfolded whole archives of documents containing about 1000 typewritten pages. For I should not be surprised if, in the course of time and in accordance with current rumours that in the last days the gods have ceased to be propitious to our petitions, the fate of our nation be entirely changed. At this call Salome awoke. And Pilate said, I did it because of the transgression and sedition of the lawless and ungodly Jews. From the High Priests : Ruan, Jodus, and Bukasalis. Oh, what a distressing and lamentable spectacle it was to see the old man cry! But wonderful were the efforts of the people themselves, and the unanimity of all the scribes and chief men and elders, to crucify this ambassador of truth, notwithstanding that their own prophets, and after our manner the sibyls, warned them against it: and supernatural signs appeared while he was hanging, and, in the opinion of philosophers, threatened destruction to the whole world. 1 source is Ante-Nicene Fathers page 459, which is also in English, 2 She appears to actually work at the British Library, see the author. On the other hand, Johns picture of Pilate delivering judgment from a tribunal in front of the prefects mansion fits typical Roman procedure. He possesses sparkling eyes. Then Pilate turned to Jesus and with altered voice asked Him, Are you King of the Jews? And when he had been crucified, there was darkness over the whole earth, the sun having been completely hidden, and the heaven appearing dark though it was day, so that the stars appeared, but had at the same time their brightness darkened, as I suppose your reverence is not ignorant of, because in all the world they lighted lamps from the sixth hour until evening. I followed Him, without His knowing. His golden shining hair and beard gave Him a heavenly appearance. And all the people that stood near Csar were filled with trembling because of the utterance of the word and the fall of their gods, and being seized with fear they all went away, every man to his house, wondering at what had happened. Although her appearance in the New Testament is brief (only 38 words) and she is unnamed there, Pontius Pilate's wife is known for her attempt to prevent her husband's involvement in the death of Jesus of Nazareth. And all the multitude walked about and sang hymns to God with a loud voice, saying, The Lord our God, who hath risen from the dead, hath made alive all the dead, and Hades he hath spoiled and slain. All that night therefore, my lord, O king, the light ceased not. By obeying and proceeding against them, and scattering them abroad in all nations, enslave them, and by driving their nation from all Judea as soon as possible show, wherever this hath not yet appeared, that they are full of evil. The Sadducees were prompted by two reasons: they hated Jesus and wanted to free themselves from the Roman pressure. I immediately arose consoled and heartened. available on their website: https://www.ivyandpearlboutique.com. I went with him, but what was my life with him? However, truth will break through always and triumph. Do ye believe in me? Whether or not we will know these details any time in future, we should concentrate on the most important message of the Scripture and the Church Tradition. These catastrophes serve as a terrible warning for all people, but especially for religious leaders and judges. Burleson, TX 76028. Oh, if we only knew how much God loves us, and what a supremo sacri. He tried to reconcile lawlessness with righteousness, and evil with truth. Lonely, I remained behind, thinking that that which had happened was controlled more by divine than human forces. Thereafter, the president permitted the counsel for the defendant, advocate Reichswev, to speak. These dead foretold the wrath of God. He judged mankind, who trembled before Him, and among those unhappy ones who had been thrown into the re of hell I noticed the faces of these who exacted His death. 2 Comments. As far as can be surmised, the reason for this omission may be found in the fear that the Emperor Tiberius should find Pilate guilty of an injustice. What a dream, or better, what a revelation! For already do worms begin to issue from my body, and lo, I am receiving temporal judgment, and I am afraid of the judgment to come. The shouting began again, even louder, and their voices were like the howling of wild, hungry animals. The Catalog of Good Deeds is the official blog of the Catalogue of St. Elisabeth Convent. He who will be crucified and brought to death, shall remain on the cross as a warning and example for the people and all criminals and robbers. The Gospel tells us that many people were astonished by Jesus teaching and expressed their amazement by the following words: how does He know it without having learnt it?. Jairus fell at the feet of Him whom he had called Lord. The surviving Apocrypha give us no further details about the lives of Pontius Pilate and his wife after Christs resurrection. After some time I came to love this fertile and rich province which my husband had to rule in the name of Rome, the master of the nations. He predicted the destruction of the Temple; He exalts Himself to the rank of the King of the Jews, to Christ, to The Son of God; He offended the Priests of Abrahams seed, shouted the Levites. Josephuss references appear to be consistent. And when he washed his hands after the meal, it seemed to me as if he washed them not in clear water, but in warm blood, the traces of which could not effaced. This cunning tetrarch, with pretended submissiveness, declared that, out of respect towards me, he placed the fate of this man in my hands, and this he let me know through the Caesarian soldiers. He, nished his speech, which lasted for four hours, by admonishing the judges to con. and that by the spirit Nina these voices had been mixed with the howling of hunted animals. Also, take the, Hello and welcome to the site! And when his wife Procla saw the angel coming and receiving his head, she also, being filled with joy, forthwith gave up the ghost, and was buried with her husband. There is no peace to the doers of evil, saith the Lord. Now I mean, that those of the Jews suffered who spake against Jesus. lled His prophecy and victoriously overcame death; rst He showed Himself to His disciples and friends, and then to the people. I went to the stairs, and here I met the centurion who was present at the cruci, xion of Jesus. nished his speech. And it is certain that because of the many evil things which were done by me to John the Baptist, and because I mocked the Christ, behold I receive the reward of righteousness, for I have shed much blood of others children upon the earth. Nahan W.D. Our inquisitive minds are eager to know about the fates of the biblical characters. He referred to Pilate, who had said, I nd no fault in this just man, and as a sign of his belief in Jesus innocence had washed his hands in the face of His accusers. Pontius Pilate's wife was one of the Philosophy and religion good articles, but it has been removed from the list. His hands are externally beautiful.