Pontius Pilate was the fifth Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, serving AD 26-36 under Emperor Tiberius. His name appears in the Apostles' Creed ("suffered under Pontius Pilate") because he was the Roman official who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ — a moment so historically decisive that Pilate's name is preserved in the creeds recited by Christians 2,000 years later in every corner of the world. The Gospels portray Pilate as a reluctant executioner. Thrice he declared Jesus innocent: "I find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:4). "I, having examined Him in your presence, have found no fault in this Man" (23:14). "Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go" (23:22). Pilate's wife even sent word to him during the trial: "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him" (Matthew 27:19). He tried every escape: sending Jesus to Herod (who sent Him back); offering to release either Jesus or the murderer Barabbas (the crowd chose Barabbas); scourging Him in hopes that would satisfy (it did not). Finally, when the crowd threatened to report him to Caesar as no friend of Rome, "he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it'" (Matthew 27:24). It was the most famous handwashing in history, and the most useless. Pilate could not wash away what he had chosen. Pilate's question to Jesus — "What is truth?" (John 18:38) — has echoed for 2,000 years, the cynicism of every man who refuses to pursue an answer. Tradition says Pilate was eventually recalled to Rome, exiled, and may have committed suicide. He stands as a warning: it is possible to know the right thing, to want to do the right thing, and to still do the wrong thing because the right thing costs too much.