| (1) Historical Reliability of the Bible | (2) Exhibit #15: Old Testament Biblical archaeology |
| (3) Exhibit #16: New Testament Biblical archaeology | (4) Exhibit #17: The ancient Chinese writings |
☼ Exhibit #16: (3) Pontius Pilate Inscription |
Biblical Archaeological finds for the New Testament |
||
| House of Simon Peter | Bones of Caiaphas | Pilate inscription |
| Bones of a crucified man | Pool of Bethesda | Erastus, treasurer in Corinth |
The Pilate Inscription
Evidence for Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided at the trial of Jesus, was discovered at the seaside ruins of Caesarea Maritima, the ancient seat of Roman government. In 1961, an Italian archaeologist uncovered a fragment of a plaque near steps leading to the Caesarea Theater. Though it is believed to have been placed there during fourth century renovations, experts say it was originally a first century dedicatory plague at a nearby temple honoring emperor Tiberius. The inscription, written in Latin, contained the phrase:
"Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea has dedicated to the
people of
Emperor Tiberius reigned from 14–37 AD. This fits well with the New Testament chronology and both Philo and Josephus record Pilate was procurator/governor from 26–36 AD. [2]
Biblical Archaeological finds for the New Testament |
||
| House of Simon Peter | Bones of Caiaphas | Pilate inscription |
| Bones of a crucified man | Pool of Bethesda | Erastus, treasurer in Corinth |
[1] Robert J. Bull, Editor, Hershel Shanks: BAR 08:03 (May/June 1982). Biblical Archaeology Society (2002); also
L. Sheler, Is the Bible True (1999), page 112 (emphasis added).
[2]
Josephus, Flavius; Whiston, William: The
Works of Josephus (1987), Antiquities of the Jews 18.89 and
Philo of