It's a plot device, just like having Pilate in Jerusalem for Passover or having Herod Antipas in Jerusalem instead of his own kingdom where, as you have just noted above, he was such a devout "Jew" that he allowed Greco-Roman temples to be built in his friggin' capital. Pilate as a gentile had no official function on Passover. He could not even enter the temple. His presence could only serve to remind Jews that the last time the temple had been desecrated it was by a Roman commander ( Pompey Magnus ). There is no indication in Josephus or Philo that there was any inherent discord during Passover during the reigns of Augustus or Tiberius. In fact, the Jews had it pretty good at that precise point in history. But by the time this bullshit was all written down all of that had changed. The Jews had been decimated by 3 severe revolts and in the run up to the Great Revolt in 66 there was nearly constant turmoil as one procurator or another attempted to control the region.
That is the period reflected in the passion story and it shows that the gospel writers had the same miserable understanding of history as modern fundie morons. Are you listening, G-C?
That is the period reflected in the passion story and it shows that the gospel writers had the same miserable understanding of history as modern fundie morons. Are you listening, G-C?
