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Explanation for:
Matthew
27
:
19
And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Another factor that could have swayed them from their purpose was present. Beyond the solid evidence of their actions, a dream held significant relevance. However, why was it that Pilate himself did not experience this vision? Perhaps it was because his wife was deemed more deserving of it, or maybe had he witnessed it, he would have dismissed it and refrained from mentioning it. Thus, it was orchestrated that the dream be shown to his wife, ensuring its revelation to everyone. Not only did she experience the dream, but she also underwent great distress, compelling her husband, even out of compassion for her, to reconsider his decision about the execution. Additionally, the timing played a role; she had the dream that very night. Still, it can be argued that Pilate felt it was unsafe to release Jesus because there were accusations that He had declared Himself king. Hence, it would have been reasonable to seek and assess all possible evidence, such as whether He had raised an army, gathered wealth, or plotted treason. Yet Pilate simply chose to side with them, leading Christ to declare that Pilate was not without blame: ‘he that betrayed Me’ to you, He states, ‘more sin is upon him’ (John 19:11). Ultimately, it was weakness that influenced his acquiescence, as he was scourged and betrayed. He lacked the strength to stand firm, while the leaders acted with malice and wicked intent."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Notice that divine messages are frequently given to the Gentiles, and in Pilate and his wife, who acknowledged the Lord's righteousness, we see a testament from a fully Gentile community."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"After being judged by Herod, He was returned to Pilate. Both men failed to acknowledge His innocence, yet each fueled the other's ruthlessness. Pilate attempted to absolve himself by washing his hands, but this act did not cleanse the evil deed. A judge ought not to be swayed by hatred or fear to the point of condemning the innocent. His wife implored him for mercy, having received divine insight in a dream, yet he did not retract the blasphemous decree. \\n\\nIt seems that Pilate represents all judges who condemn those they themselves consider guiltless. However, Pilate's wife illustrates that the Gentiles often show a greater capacity for forgiveness than the Jews and are more readily open to believing in divine interventions. What, then, can be said of those who crucified the Lord of glory?"},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Remarkable! Pilate, who was experiencing his own trial, was instilling fear in his wife! It was not he who experienced the vision, but rather his wife: possibly because he was deemed unworthy; or perhaps because his words would not have been trusted, leading others to think he spoke out of his affection for Jesus; or he might have chosen silence if he had indeed seen the vision, since he held the position of judge. The vision was a manifestation of Divine Providence; its purpose was not to secure Christ's release, but rather to ensure the salvation of his wife."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"It was not Pilate himself who experienced the dream, perhaps due to his unworthiness, or because, as a judge, he felt compelled to remain silent about it, fearing that others might dismiss it as a mere fabrication meant to free Jesus Christ. Instead, it was his wife who witnessed it, perceived as more deserving or more credible in the eyes of the Jews so that they might be persuaded by her. She not only envisioned the dream but also endured great distress, longing for her husband to intervene against the execution out of compassion for her, even if they did not accept the dream as truth. \\"Have nothing to do with that righteous man,\\" she implored, emphasizing that there should be no conflict between Pilate and Him. It is significant to note that the term for today is employed in relation to the night."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"While seated on the judgment seat, Pilate received a message from his wife, traditionally known as Claudia Procula, who urged him: \\"Do not harm that righteous man, for I have suffered greatly on his account in a remarkable dream.\\" This dream was extraordinary and caused her significant distress regarding this innocent spouse. According to Roman law, it was strictly prohibited for judges' wives to intervene in their husband's official duties. By reaching out to Pilate about her dream, it indicates her deep conviction regarding the truth of what she experienced. The blessed Theophylact remarked on the irony of Pilate judging Jesus while simultaneously distressing his wife. This dream was a manifestation of divine providence, not to ensure Christ's deliverance, but rather for the salvation of his wife. \\n\\nSt. Chrysostom posits that Pilate himself did not receive the dream either because his wife was deemed worthy or because, had he experienced it, he might have dismissed it or failed to share it. Consequently, it was orchestrated so that his wife would receive this dream and express it publicly. Additionally, not only did she witness the dream, but she also endured significant suffering, aiming to influence her husband to reconsider the grave act of condemning an innocent man out of compassion for her. Indeed, as the appointed hour was approaching, it was the same night she experienced her vision.\\n\\nTradition holds that Claudia Procula adopted the Jewish faith; she likely had heard much about Christ as a notable Teacher and Miracle Worker. According to tradition, she came to believe in Christ and endured for Him. Pilate, in his heart, recognized Jesus as innocent, and thus his wife's admonition, respected for her pious life, weighed heavily upon him. Had he not presented the crowd with the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, he might have halted the trial altogether. If he had acted on his true feelings, he would have alienated the very Jews who despised him and sought the blood of the innocent. However, Pilate was tormented by guilt over past injustices towards the Jewish people, such as when he sent soldiers disguised among them, leading to the mingling of Galilean blood with that of their victims. He pondered the potential consequences, worrying that news of his brutal actions might reach Caesar, coupled with accusations of having released a man critiqued for challenging royal authority. Fear of his own fate haunted the troubled soul of the hesitant procurator, making him willing to make any compromises necessary to resolve this distressing situation. Meanwhile, as he conversed with the messenger relaying his wife's warning, the chief priests and scribes were advancing their own agenda."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Refer to the commentary on Luke 23:16.\\n\\nDuring this harrowing ordeal, marked by a clash of Roman law and relentless Jewish zeal, Pilate received a grave message from his wife Proclus. She conveyed that she had experienced a profound and ominous dream concerning this Innocent One and urged him to exercise great caution in handling the matter."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The area known as the judge’s seat, located in front of the procurator's residence, elevated and exposed, was referred to in Greek as λιυο'στρωτον and in Hebrew as Gabbatha (John 19:13). Concerning “His wife,” various ancient Christian writers and the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus refer to her as Proclus or Claudia Procula. She identified with the Jewish faith or showed a willingness towards it, described as θεοσεβη'ς, righteous in her disposition. Tradition holds that she later embraced Christianity. \\n\\nWhen she urged her husband to \\"do nothing\\" (see Matt. 8:29, Jn. 2:4), she implored him not to condemn this innocent man. Her concern stemmed from the belief that her husband might face divine retribution for condemning an innocent person. Referring to Jesus as “that righteous one,” she recognized him as innocent. Being inclined towards Judaism, she likely had heard of Jesus as a significant Teacher, miracle worker, and the Messiah. The dream she experienced provided her with the opportunity to plead for Him before her husband. \\n\\n“In a dream,” both the Greeks and Romans, alongside the Jews, often saw divine messages within their dreams; hence, Procula interpreted her dream’s significance (though the nature of the dream remains unknown). Speculating why Pilate himself did not receive this revelation, it could be that his wife was deemed more deserving or perhaps had he experienced the dream, he would have dismissed it and may not have even acknowledged it. The arrangement for her to have this dream served the purpose of disseminating this message to all. Not only did she see the dream, but she also endured considerable distress, compelling her husband to hesitate in his decision out of compassion for her. Moreover, the timing was critical, as she had this vision the very night before the events unfolded."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As Pilate leaned toward the accusers of Jesus, a celestial voice intervened on His behalf. The wife of the procurator sent a message to him stating, “Have nothing to do with this Righteous One; for I have suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” According to Roman law, it was explicitly prohibited for judges' wives to meddle in their husbands' official proceedings. Thus, if Claudia Procula—Pilate's wife as she is referred to in tradition—dared to reach out to her husband while he was presiding over the trial, it demonstrates her profound conviction in the truth of the divine message she received in her dream. Indeed, we see that a heavenly revelation could come to a Gentile woman, as shown when Abimelech received a divine warning about Sarah (Gen. 20:3), and Job's friends were enlightened by a revelation (Job 20:7). St. Hilary observed that in Pilate's wife, we see a reflection of the Gentiles; she, as a believer, urges those around her who lack faith to come to faith in Christ, since she herself endured much for His sake and calls upon others to share in the glory of the hope and her spouse. Others, like St. Athanasius and Augustine, echoed similar sentiments regarding Procula. St. Chrysostom pointed out that it was Pilate's wife, rather than Pilate himself, who experienced the dream because she was “more worthy.” According to tradition, Procula later became a martyr for Christ. \\n\\nThe significance of the voice of Pilate's wife in the judgment of Jesus is clear from her declaration. She reveals that Jesus Christ is not just an innocent man, as Pilate recognized, but indeed the Righteous One—one for whom divine retribution will arise. Is it not evident that this was a powerful affirmation for the innocent Jesus? Was it not a significant support for Pilate the judge? Yet, did Pilate respond to this support as he ought to have?"},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"There was likely some deliberation among the crowd regarding whom to support, as Pilate's inquiry did not receive an immediate response; instead, it was addressed later when he spoke to the people again. Thus, it can be inferred that the crowd's inclination to request Barabbas stemmed from their lack of awareness about Jesus' impending trial before the Sanhedrin and Pilate. However, when Pilate informed them that they could choose Jesus over Barabbas, they became uncertain. At that moment, Pilate’s wife sent him a message saying, “Do not harm that just man, for I have suffered greatly on account of Him in a dream.” The specifics of her dream remain unknown, but since Jesus was a subject of widespread discussion throughout Jerusalem and the conspiratorial schemes of the Sanhedrin were well known, it is plausible that such conversations reached Pilate’s wife. This likely led her to view Jesus as the Just One, an impression further solidified by her disturbing dream about Him."}]}
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