Category:Pilate's wife (subject)

From 4 Enoch: : The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, and Christian and Islamic Origins
Jump to navigation Jump to search


According to Christian tradition, Pilate's Wife (Procula, or Claudia) tried to save Jesus of Nazareth at his trial.

Overview

Pilate's wife is known only by one verse in the Gospel of Matthew.

Later Christian tradition (Acts of Pilate) would give her a name, Procula, speculating on her relation with Jesus and her conversion to Christianity. The chronicle of Pseudo-Dexter (1619) is the first place known where she is referred to as Claudia.

Theologians were divided whether her dream came from God (so that she would convert) or by the Devil (to prevent Jesus from fulfilling his mission).

Pilate's wife, in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Mt 27:19 -- While Pilate was sitting in the judgment hall, his wife sent him a message: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, because in a dream last night, I suffered much on account of him."

Pilate's wife, in the arts

The wife of Pilate is virtually absent in Christian iconography. The interest in the character arose only in the 19th century, notably, in literature, since Charlotte Brontë wrote the poem "Pilate's Wife's Dream" in 1846. Pilate's wife is also present in some Jesus Movies.

See Category:Pilate's wife--fiction (subject) for works where she is the protagonist.

Related categories

External links