I’ve heard this story so many times, yet never focused on Pilate’s wife and the incredible dream she was given by God.
This dream became a critical part of the Holy Week narrative.
Only Matthew records it.
Only one verse is written.
But what a verse it is: Matthew 27:19:
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
Experts write,
Various interpretations of the dream, convincing this wife that Jesus was an innocent Man, and that if her husband condemned Him he would certainly invite disaster, have been given. The safest understanding of her dream is that it was the reflection of her day thoughts as a sensitive and devout woman of One who was holy, just and innocent. God directed that dream in order to add a striking testimony to the sinlessness of the One being tried for the truth He declared. Pilate’s wife sensed her solemn responsibility and made her plea, even though her husband who was also convinced of Christ’s innocence, ultimately delivered Him to be crucified.
-© 1988 Zondervan.
Sister Agnes Berchman, c. 1920, The Vision of Pontius Pilate’s Wife
So many riveting aspects of this dream revealed here.
Notice the bed and the floor lamp, where she received this dream.
Notice her face, the distress, her hand resting on her head, as if
she is thinking, “Did this happen?”
One Woman’s Courage
There are so many levels to this narrative but the one that speaks to me, today, is brilliantly captured in Sister Agnes’s The Vision of Pontius Pilate’s Wife.
Pilate’s wife, who ancient scholars believe was a woman named Claudia Procula, was given a dream.
A dream that compelled her to send a message to her husband that would greatly affect history.
A dream that required a courage unknown to her up to this point in her life.
Notice her face as she descends the stairs. Her hand gently resting as if to say, “What on earth?”
James Tissot, Pilate Washes His Hands, Brooklyn Museum of Art
Studying Tissot has made me add The Brooklyn Museum of Art to my
bucket list. To stand before his collection, The Life of Christ, would be awe-inspiring.
Notice how Tissot captures the art of Pilate washing his hands. High and lifted up for all to see.
He makes sure that his part in this narrative is washed clean.
But is it? This is a story that will take an eternity to understand.
One Woman’s Influence
This story reminds us, once again, of the profound affect we have on our spheres of influence.
In our meditative exercise, Women of the Passion, we were asked one question: Have we ever been in a position where we had to speak out against injustice? (subscribe to Remarkable Living and receive even more reflections and insights.)
Maybe you have, maybe you have not.
But we’ve all been in a position to speak up. To use our words to change the tone of a conversation, change the emotional temperature in a family setting, or change the dynamics in a group setting.
As we move through Holy Week, let us remember the strength, courage, and capacity of Pilate’s wife.
May we dream God’s dreams.
May we live God’s courage.
May we spread God’s influence.