Pilate

Roman prefect of Judea from about 26–36 AD. He tried Jesus and declared three times that he found no basis for charges. He sought to release Jesus but yielded to the crowd's insistence, symbolically washing his hands to declare his innocence. He ordered the sign 'King of the Jews' placed above the cross. He gave permission for Jesus' body to be given to Joseph of Arimathea and for a guard to be placed at the tomb.