Content of the Death Sentence Pronounced by Pilate Against Jesus of Nazareth, Our Savior

Sep 20, 2026

“I, Pontius Pilate, governor of Lower Galilee, governing here in Jerusalem on behalf of the Roman Empire, in the palace of the chief magistrate, judge and pronounce that I condemn to death Jesus, surnamed Nazarene by the people, a native of Galilee, as a seditionist and rebel against the Law, our Senate, and the great Emperor Tiberius Caesar.

And by this sentence I decree that he shall die upon a cross, fastened with nails, as criminals are fastened, because, having gathered here every day a crowd of poor and rich people, he has never ceased to stir up disturbances throughout Judea, claiming to be the Son of God and the King of Israel; announcing the destruction of this renowned city of Jerusalem, the holy Temple, and the sacred Empire; refusing to pay tribute to Caesar; and because he carried his audacity so far as to enter triumphantly, with palms, accompanied by a large part of the people, into this city of Jerusalem and into the holy Temple of Solomon.

I order the first centurion, called Quintus Cornelius, to lead him through the same city in disgrace, bound as he is, and scourged by my order. He shall be dressed in his own garments, so that he may be recognized by everyone; and he shall carry the cross upon which he is to be crucified. He shall pass through all the busiest streets between two thieves who have been condemned to death for the thefts and murders they have committed, so that he may serve as an example to all the people and to evildoers.

I also wish and decree by this present sentence that, after this malefactor has been led through the streets in this manner, he shall be taken out of the city through the Pagora Gate, now called the Antoniana Gate, and that a herald shall proclaim all the crimes set forth in this sentence. He shall then be led to the mountain called Calvary, where the most notorious criminals are ordinarily executed; and there, having been nailed and crucified upon the same cross that he shall have carried, as stated above, his body shall remain suspended between the two aforementioned thieves.

At the top of the cross shall be placed the title of his name in the three languages currently most widely spoken, namely Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, so that everyone may say: THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS; so that all may hear it and know him.

I also forbid, under penalty of confiscation of property, death, and being declared a rebel against the Roman Empire, that anyone, whatever their rank or condition, dare to prevent the justice that I order to be carried out and executed with all rigor, according to the Roman and Hebrew laws.

In the year 5233 from the creation of the world, on the twenty-fifth of March.”