Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series) [Hardcover]

Helen K. Bond (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521631149 | ISBN-13: 978-0521631143 | Publication Date: January 28, 1999

This study reconstructs the life of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor responsible for the execution of Jesus. The first section provides the historical and archaeological background. The following chapters look at six first-century authors: Philo, Josephus and the four gospel writers. Each chapter asks how Pilate is being used as a literary character in each work, why each author describes Pilate in a different way, and what this tells us about the relationship between each author and the Roman state.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A helpful review..." Bibliotecha Sacra

"The book is thoroughly researched, lucidly written, and well organized; it will be a standard historical work on Pilate. Recommended for any library supporting Greco-Roman history and New Testament studies." Choice

"This is a good and helpful study." Journal of Biblical Literature

"[Bond] has challenged established academic thought and introduced important information into a vital area of New Testament study. Most importantly Bond illustrates the extent to which modern academic misinterpretation has contributed to the manipulation of an already created image. ...Bond has in effect achieved far more, not least of which are the useful commentaries on the Gospels, and valued insight into the tenuous social situation of first century Judaea....Bond has created an extremely accessible volume, valuable for academics and students alike." Elizabeth Amanda Howey, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Bond supplies a nuanced revisionist portrait, distinguishing `rhetorical' portraits (Philo, Josephus, and the four canonical Gospels) from the `historical' Pilate. The book is full of interpretive insights demonstrating how to read texts, how to interpret ancient authors' approaches to their work, and how `real' history became `literary' history. It is sure-footed on Roman governance, law and order, Roman and Judaen relations, and the politics of Tiberius's reign." Peter Richardson, Interpretation

"This is a good and helpful study." Review of Biblical Literature

"An evangelical pastor or teacher interested in this governor, the passion narratives, or comparing Gospel accounts will find this work valuable." Faith and Mission

Book Description

This study reconstructs the life of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor responsible for the execution of Jesus. The first section provides the historical and archaeological background. The following chapters go on to look at six first century authors: Philo, Josephus and the four gospel writers. Each chapter asks how Pilate is being used as a literary character in each work, why each author describes Pilate in a different way, and what this tells us about the relationships between each author and the Roman state.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521631149
• ISBN-13: 978-0521631143
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,603,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Piece on Pilate, October 4, 2001

By 

darth_mac (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series) (Hardcover)

At last, a well argued, clear, thoughful and incisive academic book on Pilate. Bond has a clear grasp of first-century culture, both Roman and Jewish, and handles texts highly effectively. As yet, this book is the serious historical piece on Pilate that has no competition over its academic credentials.
Dr. John C. McDowell, Meldrum Lecturer in Systematic Theology

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dispelling the Cliched Viewpoints, June 26, 2007

By 

M. T. Barron - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series) (Paperback)

This is a very refreshing and compelling study, trenchantly argued and comprehensively researched. Do not believe what the History Channel and other media outlets propound; read and assimilate the facts.