Governor

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(Matt. 27:2)—a general New Testament term for a provincial ruler. After Archelaus was removed in AD 6, Judea came under Roman prefects of equestrian rank who normally resided at Caesarea Maritima and came to Jerusalem, especially during festivals, with troops to maintain order. Coponius was the first prefect; Pontius Pilate, who governed from AD 26 to 36, was the fifth in the usual reckoning. Later rulers could bear the title procurator. The source’s “sixth” reflects an older enumeration.

Scripture cited

Matthew 27:2

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