“Pilate’s Wife” by Mandy Jane Williams

“When he was set down on the judgment seat, his [Pilate’s] wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

(Matt. 27:19)

Early on the morning of the Passover, Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor of Jerusalem, Pontius Pilate. While Pilate sat in court, listening to the proceedings of Jesus’s case, his wife sent him a message telling him, very strongly, “Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him” (Matt. 27:19). 

We don’t know what Pilate’s wife saw in her dream or why she “suffered many things” because of Jesus, but it left a strong impression on her mind. In the ancient world dreams were taken seriously and could even, at times, be used as evidence in a court of law. Jesus’s trial was held early in the morning and she, upon awakening, urgently sent her husband news of her dream. When Pilate heard that his wife had received a dream testifying of Jesus’s innocence– and perhaps carrying with it warnings of dire consequences if it was ignored– he did not easily dismiss it.

In fact, it was  after  receiving his wife’s message that Pilate told the Jews that he could find no fault with Jesus. It was custom to release a prisoner during the Feast of the Passover (Mark 15:6) and so Pilate offered to release Jesus. Instead the people chose to release a prisoner named Barabbas who had been imprisoned for organizing a revolt against the Romans (Matt. 27: 12-23).

Pilate tried to convince the Jews not to crucify Jesus, but when he, “saw that he could prevail nothing”  and that the people were beginning to riot against him he, perhaps remembering his wife’s warning, “took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.” (Matt. 27: 24)

In those words, “I am innocent of this just person”  we hear the words of Pilate’s wife echoed “Have thou nothing to do with that just man.” Pilate believed Jesus was a “just man” because his wife knew, through her dream, that Jesus was a just man.

Sometimes in the scriptures it is hard to see the influence that women have in shaping and directing in their nations and communities. Yet, in the story of Pilate’s wife we see a woman using her influence and voice to intervene in a political trial and influence a decision. While Pilate was not successful in saving Jesus’s life, he at least made an attempt to fulfill his wife’s request. He believed and respected what she had told him.

It is almost certain that Pilate’s wife would have heard about Jesus before, as He was a famous figure in Jerusalem, but it is not likely that she had ever had the chance to meet Him. Her testimony of His innocence and goodness was based solely off the revelation and dream she had been given by God. Her faith in her dream allowed her to do what many of Christ’s apostles and closest disciples didn’t do– to stand up for Him and bear witness of His goodness in His time of need.