Who was the Roman governor who ordered Jesus' crucifixion?

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who ordered Jesus' crucifixion. He served as Rome's governor, more precisely prefect, of Judaea during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, probably from 26 or 27 to 36 or 37 AD.

The Christian Gospels describe Pilate presiding over Jesus' trial in Jerusalem and authorizing execution by crucifixion. Although the Gospel narratives portray him as reluctant or pressured by the crowd and religious authorities, the legal power to impose this Roman punishment belonged to Pilate. The Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Josephus also connect Jesus' execution with Pilate.

Several names in the question's wrong options represent different figures. Tiberius was the Roman emperor who appointed or oversaw Pilate. Caiaphas was the high priest associated with the proceedings against Jesus, while Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and appears in Luke's account of the trial but did not issue the final crucifixion order.

Pilate's position is supported by archaeological evidence as well as literary sources. The Pilate Stone, discovered at Caesarea Maritima, identifies him as the prefect of Judaea and confirms his historical office.