Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who questioned Jesus during his trial in the New Testament Gospels.
Pilate served as prefect of Judaea during the reign of the emperor Tiberius, probably from AD 26 to 36. The Gospel accounts place Jesus before Pilate after being arrested and questioned by Jewish authorities. Pilate is portrayed as the Roman official who authorized the crucifixion, although the Gospel narratives differ in details and emphasis.
Pilate should not be confused with Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee who appears elsewhere in the passion narratives. Nor is he the same as Felix or Gallio, Roman officials mentioned in Acts in connection with Paul. The New Testament’s references fit the broader historical picture of Roman administration in Judaea, where execution by crucifixion was a Roman power.
An inscription discovered at Caesarea, often called the Pilate Stone, provides independent evidence for Pilate’s name and title in Roman Judaea.