As Jesus’ ministry drew to a close, he was questioned by Pontius Pilate, whose name and the title “prefect” appear on an inscription found at Caesarea in 1961. In outlying provinces like Judea, a governor (prefect) had military control, was responsible for financial administration, and served as a trial judge. Pilate had authority to release Christ, but he yielded to Jesus’ foes and sought to satisfy the crowd by handing him over for impalement and freeing the seditious murderer Barabbas.​—15:1-15.

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Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums; photograph from Israel Museum, Jerusalem