Pontius Pilate by Roger Caillois
"Pontius Pilate" by Roger Caillois is a historical and literary exploration of the moral and political dilemmas faced by Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea, during the trial of Jesus Christ. The narrative is structured into seven chapters and an epilogue, primarily revolving around Pilate's interactions with various influential figures as he grapples with the decision of whether to execute Jesus. Through these conversations, the novel delves into themes of justice, sacrifice, and the Stoic philosophy that shapes Pilate's worldview.
Caillois portrays Pilate as a conflicted leader caught between his duty to maintain order in a politically volatile environment and his personal belief in Jesus' innocence. The narrative highlights the pressure exerted by the Sanhedrin and the crowd, forcing Pilate to confront the consequences of his choices. A pivotal moment occurs when Pilate is confronted with the moral implications of sacrificing one for the many, a theme central to Christian theology. Ultimately, the story culminates in an alternate outcome where Pilate decides to free Jesus, leading to a significant alteration in the course of human history. This thought-provoking portrayal invites readers to reflect on the complexities of choice and moral responsibility in the face of societal demands.
Pontius Pilate by Roger Caillois
First published:Ponce Pilate, 1961 (English translation, 1963)
Edition(s) used:Pontius Pilate, translated by Charles Lam Markmann, with an introduction by Ivan Strenski. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006
Genre(s): Novel
Subgenre(s): Biblical fiction; historical fiction (first century); literary fiction
Core issue(s): Jesus Christ; justice; sacrifice; stoicism
Principal characters
Pontius Pilate , the protagonist, procurator of Judea under Roman emperor TiberiusProcula , his wifeMardouk , his closest friendAnnas , andCaiaphas , Jewish priestsMenenius , a politician, adviser to PilateJudas , disciple and betrayer of JesusJesus , the Son of God, King of the Jews, the MessiahBarabbas , a prisoner
Overview
Roger Caillois’s novel Pontius Pilate is a compeling look at the dilemma that Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, may have faced in making the decision to execute Jesus. Caillois examines Pilate’s thought processes as he listens to those who would condemn Jesus and consults with individuals whose judgment he trusts. The novel is composed of seven chapters and an epilogue. In five of the seven chapters, Caillois presents a conversation between Pilate and one of the individuals or groups who might have been influential in his decision about Jesus. The last two chapters reveal Pilate’s final turmoil and moments of irresolution before he arrives at his final decision.
In the first chapter, Pilate is informed of the arrest of Jesus and told that Annas and Caiaphas, the Jewish high priests, wish an audience with him immediately. The Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish council with authority in all judicial, religious, and administrative matters regarding the Jewish community in Jerusalem) has sat in judgment of Jesus and condemned him to death; the priests request Jesus’ crucifixion within the day. This chapter provides the reader with an understanding of Pilate’s situation in Judea and of his difficulties in dealing with what he views as the religious fanaticism of the Jews. Pilate, as a subordinate Roman official, is in a precarious position; he must consider his course of action in the light of how his superiors will react to it. Thus, in an attempt to transfer the problem to another official, he sends Jesus to Herod, tetrach of Galilee, but to no avail. The Sanhedrin quickly informs Pilate that Jesus, by calling himself King of the Jews, has attacked the sovereignty of Rome. The matter is no longer merely religious; it is now political as well. Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate, who realizes that he is trapped and will have to decide the matter. Pilate’s inclination is to free Jesus, whom he finds guiltless and preferable to the fanatics who are clamoring for his death, but he fears repercussions that could lead to his dismissal as procurator and to the end of his career. Pilate’s reflection on his dilemma is interrupted by a centurion who comes to tell him an angry mob is demanding the death of Jesus and by a slave sent by his wife Procula. The first chapter ends with an account of a dream about Jesus that has frightened her. Pilate promises to consult his Chaldean friend Mardouk about the dream.
In chapter 2, Pilate seeks the advice of the prefect Menenius, his senior administrative officer who is an adept politician with many years of experience in outlying parts of the Roman Empire. Pilate explains to him that the priests have fulminated street riots as a means of pressuring him to execute an innocent man and to capitulate to their demands, thus letting them control the power of Rome. The astute Menenius immediately sees the errors to be avoided. Pilate must neither accept responsibility for Jesus’ death nor give him the protection of the Roman army. Menenius suggests that Pilate, following tradition, offer to free a prisoner, either Jesus or Barabbas. The mob will choose Barabbas, and Pilate, evidencing his disapproval, will thus absolve himself and Rome of responsibility for Jesus’ death. Menenius then stresses the importance of Pilate’s performing the ritual gesture of hand washing to show that he is blameless. Menenius himself will provide the pitcher, basin, and bowl. Pilate is perplexed, then ashamed that Menenius considers him capable of executing an innocent man to avoid consequences that might be detrimental to his career. Imbued with Stoic philosophy, Pilate is repulsed by the injustice of Menenius’s plan yet lacks courage to incur the displeasure of the propraetor, his administrative superior in the province. Then, Pilate conveniently remembers Judas, the madman waiting to speak with him.
In chapter 3, Judas explains the necessity of the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus and tells Pilate that he and Pilate must fulfill their roles as divine instruments for the salvation of the world. Judas says he is telling this to Pilate because he fears that Pilate might summon up enough courage to stand against the Sanhedrin and free Jesus. Judas then falls into a fit, and Pilate, completely confused, decides to consult his friend Mardouk, a Chaldean well versed in matters of religion and interpretation of dreams.
Chapter 4 recounts the meeting of Pilate and Jesus, who, after stating that he has come for an express purpose, refuses to answer Pilate’s questions. Caillois’s depiction of the interrogation follows that of the biblical account except that, instead of ordering Jesus to be scourged, Pilate merely turns him over to the soldiers to do what they will with him. Pilate states that he believes Jesus to be innocent. The crowd, however, demands his crucifixion, and Caiaphas reminds Pilate that Jesus claims he is King of the Jews. With this statement, Caiaphas challenges Pilate’s loyalty to Rome. Pilate assures the crowd that Jesus will be punished and offers them the choice of freedom for Barabbas or Jesus. They choose Barabbas. It is at this point that Pilate hands Jesus over to the soldiers. Jesus is flogged and a crown of thorns is placed on his head. Pilate then presents Jesus to the crowd, which screams for immediate crucifixion. Pilate refuses and says he will pass sentence the next day at the tribunal of Gabbatha.
That evening, Pilate visits Mardouk and finds some respite from his turmoil. He shares Procula’s dream amd the ravings of Judas with Mardouk, who tells him of the Essenes and of their belief in the coming of a Redeemer. He then foretells the future after the crucifixion. Pilate returns home, reevaluates the problem, dreams feverishly, mixing a number of metaphysics in his mind, and finally becomes fascinated by the freedom of choice available to the human species. The next day at Gabbatha, Pilate frees Jesus, who continues preaching and lives to a venerable age. The world, however, never knows Christianity, and none of the events foretold by Mardouk occur, except Pilate’s exile and suicide.
Christian Themes
The major Christian theme of the work is first expressed by Menenius when he repeats the argument of Caiaphas for the crucifixion of Jesus: that the sacrifice of one man for the salvation of an entire people is an admirable thing. Neither Caiaphas nor Menenius understands the true meaning of the statement. Caiaphas wishes to maintain the established Jewish religion and his own power. Menenius is simply advocating that the end—to forestall rebellion against Rome and the ensuing killings of many Jews—justifies the means. In chapter 3, Judas bluntly states that Jesus must be crucified for the world to be saved from eternal damnation and that he and Pilate are the instruments that God is using to bring this about. Caillois builds intensity in his novel as Pilate’s visit to Mardouk reveals all that will happen as a result of the crucifixion of Jesus. The reader realizes the effect of the divine sacrifice on human history, on the history that he shares with all of humankind. Pilate’s decision to spare Jesus and the resulting obliteration of all that the reader knows as human existence is overwhelming. Caillois’s fictional account and reverse outcome of the trial of Jesus challenges the reader’s complacency.
Sources for Further Study
Bond, Helen K. Caiaphas: Friend of Rome and Judge of Jesus? Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. Addresses the religious and political roles of Jewish priesthood and motives behind Caiaphas’s involvement in trial of Jesus, using historical and archaeological sources; considers Caiaphas as a literary character in the four Gospels.
Bond, Helen K. Pontius Pilate in History and Interpretation. 1998, Reprint. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Examines the presentation of Pilate in the Gospel of Mark and the works of Philo and Josephus. Examines Pilate’s role in Judea.
Carter, Warren. Pontius Pilate: Portrait of a Roman Governor. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2003. A portrait of Pilate that sharply contrasts with that of Caillois. Carefully documented, with biblical references.
Crozier, W. P., ed. Letters of Pontius Pilate: Written During His Governorship of Judea to His Friend Seneca in Rome. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Fredonia Books, 2002. Pilate discusses problems governing Judea, his policies, his impressions of Jesus, and who he believed Jesus to be.
Strenski, Ivan. Introduction to Pontius Pilate. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006. Offers an excellent comparison of biblical version and Caillois’s version of the Crucifixion story, addressing Caillois’s philosophical position and the connection between the novel and Algerian War.