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"The Message of Pilate's Wife," by James Tissot, c. 1886-1894. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/13491/The_Message_of_Pilates_Wife.__Pilate

“The Message of Pilate’s Wife,” by James Tissot, c. 1886-1894. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/13491/The_Message_of_Pilates_Wife.__Pilate

Each Lenten and Easter season a woman surfaces, only to fade into obscurity the rest of the year: Pontius Pilate’s wife. When I was young, Pilate’s role in Jesus’ crucifixion captivated me. I wondered what Pilate would have thought to know he would be recorded into history, that his name would still be spoken on our lips 2,000 years later. As I get older, I’m still fascinated by Pilate but find myself wondering more about his wife.

She appears only once in the Bible, in Matthew 27:19:

While court was still in session, Pilate’s wife sent him a message: “Don’t get mixed up in judging this noble man. I’ve just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him.” (The Message)

Hristo Shopov as Pontius Pilate and Claudia Gerini as his wife, Claudia Procles, in Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (2004).

Hristo Shopov as Pontius Pilate and Claudia Gerini as his wife, Claudia Procles, in Mel Gibson’s THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (2004).

I wonder how much turmoil she caused Pilate. I sense so much turmoil in his thoughts, which I guess is why he intrigues me.

We often want to do what’s right, but how often do we make the wrong decisions? Do we not listen to those we should listen to?