Comments on: Pilate and Jesus, a colonial view

By: Walter van Beek

Walter van Beek — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:34:15 +0000

Thanks for all the positive reactions. It is good to see that such an alternative view on Pilate is that productive. Thanks (5) for the reading suggestion, I will surely follow it up. The thorny question raised by 7 and 8, is the theological one. I sincerely doubt whether the disciples had the same Atonement-through-Sacrifice view during this Passover weekend. I agree completely with 8: no one at that time could or would view the trial of death of Jesus as something that should happen and should not be stopped. Such a detached view is only possible in retrospect. Also, in such a view there would be no reason to blame anyone at all, not Pilate, not the Jews, and even Herod would be exonerated from any of his acts.
As the events unfolded on the Passover weekend, the followers of Jesus were devastated, and, indeed they were scared as well. So not only Peter was afraid, but all followers were frightened, no one dared to speak up. Yes, a shared shame for all of us.

By: stephenchardy

stephenchardy — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 12:40:32 +0000

For me the fact that no-one came to Jesus’ defence, even his apostles, is highly significant. I strongly doubt that they (his followers) missed the events/trials because they understood his mission. Rather the fact that all abandoned him should help us understand that if we were there we would have abandoned him as well. We all share in the shame of his treatment.

By: Frank Pellett

Frank Pellett — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:16:22 +0000

It is interesting noting that there wasn’t an influx of Jesus supporters, even with the delay. I wonder if the apostles finally got the message that they needed to let it happen (and as Jesus said, anyone who tried to divert him from it was of the devil). That means Peter probably should not have been there to witness at all, as he would have been strongly tempted to try and stop things (as he had been rebuked for before), and this directly lead to his denying the Christ.

People and history are so wonderfully complex!

By: Hedgehog

Hedgehog — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 09:07:07 +0000

Love this perspective. Thank you. I’ve always felt Pilate was in a difficult position.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 07:21:32 +0000

Perhaps you know it but there’s a new book out by Giorgio Agamben called Pilate and Jesus (Stanford 2015). I confess I haven’t read it yet but the blurb looked interesting along the lines you’ve essayed here.

By: Wilfried

Wilfried — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 06:09:15 +0000

Thanks for bringing in this colonial perspective, Walter. Fascinating analysis.

By: Cameron N.

Cameron N. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 05:44:49 +0000

Thanks, by the way. This is great.

By: Cameron N.

Cameron N. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 05:44:29 +0000

As Jesus himself said ‘ought not Christ to have suffered these things?’

By: Am VaBe

Am VaBe — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:38:24 +0000

Very interesting! Thanks!