Limestone block discovered in 1961 with Pilate’s tribute in Latin to Tiberius. The words […]TIVS PILATVS[…] can be clearly seen on the second line.

*Pilate and his wife converted to Christianity
* Pilate beheaded for helping Jesus escape

Pontius Pilatus is the Latin form of the name. The meaning is uncertain: Pontius may be connected with: bridge” or “Fifth”; Pilatus may mean “armed with a javelin,” or it may refer to the “Pilus”, or felt cap, emblem of a freed slave.

Pontius Pilate was a Roman Governor of Judea, at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. Information about Pilate comes from two main sources, the New Testament and Jewish writers from Pilate’s time to about A.D. 100.
All four Gospels say something about Pilate; the fourth Gospel (book of John) yields additional insight into his character and philosophy. The New Testament portrays him as generally weak and poor at making decisions, while the Jewish sources depict him as a strong figure of authority. Both sources report that he was unjustly hostile towards the Jews.

Other than the New Testament, all information comes from two sources: (1) Josephus (Antiq. and war) and (2) Philo of Alexandria (Legatio and Gaium). Josephus is more reliable. Some say that Philo, being strongly prejudiced against Pilate was unable to write of him with sufficient objectivity.

Pilate’s Life

Pilate was a Roman citizen, born probably in Italy, but the date and place of his birth are unknown. It is unlikely that he was born later than the year 1 B.C. He was married, and brought his wife to Judea with him and his wife is mentioned in (Matthew 27:19); whether he had any children is unknown. His carrier prior to becoming procurator (governor) is unknown. Pilate was the fifth Roman procurator of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, including most of Palestine. He was appointed in 26 A.D. by Emperor Tiberius to replace Valerius Gratus and was removed in 36 A.D.

The early history of Pilate is unknown, outside of these unreliable traditions. A German legend recounts that he was an illegitimate son of Tyrus, king of Mayence, who sent him to Rome as a hostage. There he committed a murder and was sent to Pontus, where he subdued the barbarous tribes, receiving in consequences, the name Pontius, and was sent to Judea.

Pilate and the trial of Jesus

Jesus’ Trial had several phases, the three main phases were:

A) First he was presented to the Jewish Family Court (Sanhedrin). They referred him to Pilate.
B) Pilate sends him to Herod because Jesus belongs to Galilee. Herod after meeting Jesus sends him back to Pilate
C) Pilate sits in the court and tells the Jews to do with him whatever they wanted.

Now let us look at the details with a few segments:

(1) The Jewish Sanhedrin adjudged Jesus worth of death

“Ye have heard the blasphemy; what think ye? And all condemned him to be guilt of death. (Mark 14: 64)

(2) Jesus was bound and turned over to Pilate

“And straightway in the morning the chief priests held consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. (Mark 15:1)

(3) Pilate asked the Jews what accusation they brought against Jesus

“Pilate then went out unto them, and said, what accusations bring ye against this man. (John 18:29)

(4) Pilate sent Jesus to Herod and Herod sent him back to Pilate

“When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s Jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him, and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together; for before they were at enmity between themselves. (Luke 23:6-12)

(5) Pilate told the Jews to take Jesus and judge him according to their law

(John 18:31) but they replied that they lacked authority to carry out a death sentence.
“ Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law, The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” (John 18:31)

(6) Pilate questioned Jesus about his claim to be a king; Jesus replied that he is not the king of this world

“And Pilate asked him, Art thou the king of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.”(Mark 15:2)

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus
answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou syest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hearth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, what is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. (John 18:33-38)

(7) Pilate’s wife sent him a warning message

“ When he was set down on the Judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to don with this just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. (Matthew 27:19)

(8) Pilate proposed releasing Jesus but the multitude clamored for Barabbas
“But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. (Mark 15:11)
“But ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, not this man, but Barabbas, Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:39-40)

(9) Pilate publicly washed his hands with water to disclaim responsibility

“When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew 27: 24)

(10) Pilate had Jesus scourged

“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.” (John 19:1)

(11) Pilate attested Jesus’ innocence, “I find no crime in him”

“Then took they the body of Jesus, wound it in a linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:40)

(12) Pilate said, “Here is the man.”

“Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! (John 19:5)

(13) Pilate again attested Jesus’ innocence.

“When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, crucify him, crucify him, and crucify him: Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him (John19:6)

(14) Pilate spoke with Jesus again about his power to crucify or release him and Jesus replied.

(15) Pilate again sought to release Jesus, but was told by the Jews that this would be an offence against Caesar.

“And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou are not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.” (John 19:12)

(16) Pilate brought Jesus before the people and said, “Here is your king!”

“And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!( John 19:14)

(17) The Jews disclaimed having any king but Caesar, and repeated their demand that Jesus be crucified.

“But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar. (19: 15-16)

(18) Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified.

“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. (John 19:16)

(19) Pilate wrote a title above Jesus’ cross “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”

(20) Pilate refused to grant the Jews, request that the wording of the title be changed.

“Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, what I have written I have written.(19: 21-22)

(21) Pilate granted Joseph of Arimathaea the body of Jesus.

“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. (19:38)

(22) Pilate granted the Jews permission to seal and guard the tomb of Jesus.

“Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead:

So the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. (Matthew 27: 62-66).

Pilate offers the crowd to release Jesus

Pilate offered the crowd the option between Jesus and Barabbas in the expectation that Jesus would be released. The chief priests could readily influence the vote of the people because the sight of Jesus as a helpless and unresisting prisoner deeply outraged their messianic expectations concerning him their vote was motivated not by popular esteem for Barabbas, but they aroused antipathy to Jesus because of disappointed hopes. The release of Barabbas instead of Jesus at the demand of the people is recorded in all four Gospels. (Matt 27:15-26) Mark (15:6-15); Luke (23: 16-25); John (18:39-40)
(Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible Vol.4 page 471).

Pontius Pilate gave the order for the crucifixion of Jesus, an action that prompted the phrase in the Apostles creed, “Suffered under Pontius Pilate.”

Because of Pilate’s blunders that caused turmoil; he was tried and imprisoned. The Christian historian Eusebius says that he committed suicide. (New Standard encyclopedia vol. 13 page 349)

The four Gospels tell how the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus, but this Jewish tribunal could not sentence anyone to death. He was therefore taken before Pilate and was accused of “for bidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King” (Luke 23:2)

Pilate believed Jesus to be innocent, but after the Jewish leaders threatened to complain to the emperor about his action, he yielded. In yielding to the clamor, he publicly washed his hands to show that he was “innocent of the blood of this just person” (Matthew 27:24)

Pontius Pilate, the fifth Roman procurator (governor) of Judea (AD 26-36), condemned Jesus Christ to death. Appointed under Emperor Tiberius, he also had jurisdiction over Samaria and part of Idumea. Pilate’s years were marked by conflict with the Jews. At one point he is reported to have introduced votive images of the emperor into Jerusalem; he also executed large number of Samaritans in crushing a prophetic movement. Outrage against the latter act resulted in his removal from office… According to Christian tradition, Pilate and his wife were later converted to Christianity and martyred. Another version holds that he committed suicide in Rome.” (Academic American encyclopedia vol. 15 page 301-302)

Pilate is considered an unfit ruler and never could understand the religious feelings of the Jews or their national pride.

When Jesus Christ came to trial before Pilate, he tried to release him. He believed Jesus innocent. Nevertheless, the priests and the enemies of Jesus demanded his death. Pilate would have freed him if he had not been afraid of losing his own office. All four Gospels in the Bible give full accounts of Christ’s trial.  (The world book encyclopedia vol. 15 page 414)

All four Gospels indicate that Jewish authorities manipulated Pilate in their desire to have Jesus crucified. Matthew is the only Gospel to report the famous scene of Pilate‘s washing his hands, saying “I am innocent from the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew 27:24)

The Character of Pilate

The New Testament record portrays Pilate as cynical and skeptical and hardheaded Roman, but lacking the traditional Roman virtues of honor, justice and integrity. Pilate was a dealer in compromise and expediency rather than a maintainer of justice.
Pilate knew Jesus to be innocent, and he knew that the Jews were motivated by hatred and envy in their demand for Jesus ‘death. Pilate sought to release Jesus but only if it could be done without adverse effect upon himself. Pilate sentencing Jesus under the pressure indicates that he was not fit to be a judge.
By a brief command, Pilate could have prevented the soldiers from mocking and torturing Jesus- but he did not.

Pilate’s Wife Has a Dream to Save Jesus

Pilate’s wife saw a dream to save Jesus as Joseph did when he took Jesus and his mother to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-14). The dream of Pilate’s wife occurred to save Jesus. It was very significant in God’s plan to save him.

It is mentioned:

When he sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. (Matt. 27:19)

Why was this dream sent against the purpose of the supposed advent of Jesus? If in fact Jesus was supposed to die on the cross should she not have had a dream that would have made Pilate be certain that Jesus would not survive the crucifixion? Instead, God made her have a dream that convinced her and her husband to assist in saving Jesus from death. Her dream also must have held great significance because it was recorded and mentioned very clearly in the Bible. If Christians did not believe in this dream, why did they allow it in their Bible? And since they have allowed it in the Bible, why isn’t it clear to them that God was against the crucifixion of Jesus? But if Christians believe this dream was from Satan and was not sent by God, then why is that crucial element not foretold or explained in the Bible? Otherwise one can only assume it was from God.

Significance of the Dream of Pilate’s Wife

Pilate believed that his wife’s dream was true. He was fearful of being punished by God; however he was more fearful of being punished by Rome should the Jews carry out their threat to report him to Caesar for not putting to death a suspected traitor and potential rebel leader among the Jews. Therefore, it seems highly probable that Pilate chose to crucify Jesus at such a time and in such a manner that Pilate would be able to save himself, and Jesus could potentially save himself as well.

Pilate, bowing to the importance of his wife’s dream, proclaimed Jesus to be innocent and not guilty of any wrongdoing. On the other hand, he still sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion for fear of being reported to Caesar for freeing a rebel leader accused of sedition. Because of this act Pilate knew he was going to be punished by God as was clearly mentioned in his wife’s dream.

Jesus’ Trial

The Gospel of Luke says Pilate found that Jesus was from Galilee and sent him to Herod Antipas the Governor of Galilee, who was staying in Jerusalem at the time. Pilate apparently wanted to avoid having to make a decision about Jesus’ fate. At one point in his trial, Pilate offered to release Jesus, probably because he was not convinced of Jesus’ guilt.

Pilate’s Favor to Jesus

The Jews knew Pilate’s favor for Jesus to save his life, as he announced him “not guilty” in the court, washed his hands and wanted him to be released, they were afraid that he would try to save Jesus’ life.
No doubt Pilate, the Governor, tried to save Jesus’ life because of his wife’s dream, giving his verdict about Jesus’ complete innocence. Pilate wanted to use his special right under Jewish Law to free one person. But the Jews did not let him do it. They chose to free a murderer, Barabbas, instead of Jesus.

“Pilate said unto them, whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus…. But the chief Priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The Governor answered and said unto them, whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas.” (Matt. 27:17-21)

When Pilate in the court tells the Jews that he plans to release Jesus, at that moment Jesus should have demanded before Pilate, Herod and the Jewish leaders, saying something like “you must crucify me so I can pay for the sins of the world.” But he did not say any thing like this.

Pilate Finds Jesus “Not Guilty”

“… Pilate … he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:” (Matt. 27:24)

Pilate’s “washing of his hands” doesn’t make him innocent or sinless; rather, he is more of a sinner than before. He announced in the court before hundreds of people that Jesus was innocent, yet he handed him over to the Jews to be crucified to death. A judge must practice justice, even if it means sacrificing his job or life. But here it was total injustice; rather it was persecution and cruelty. God should not have let him go without punishing him, as he had been already warned through his wife’s dream.
The question arises: what made Pilate declare Jesus innocent? Did Jesus defend his case exceptionally well, arguing with the Jews in the court?
Or did Pilate pronounce Jesus innocent solely because of his wife’s dream?

Pilate said unto them, whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus…. But the chief Priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The Governor answered and said unto them, whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. (Matt. 27:17-21)

The Promised Messiah’s Saying about Pilate

The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) writes about Pilate on several occasions:

It is written in the books of history that when Caesar of Rome came to know that Pilate the Governor has helped Jesus escape from death on the cross in a deceitful way, by helping him to run away secretly. He became very upset. And it is a mater which is proven that Jewish clergymen informed Caesar that it was Pilate who helped Jesus to escape. Soon after this information, Pilate was thrown in prison on the orders of Caesar and then beheaded in prison. This way he became martyred in the love of Jesus. (Tazkirat-ul Shahaadatain page 30-31)

According to the sayings of Pilate who was Governor of that state (while he and his wife both were the followers of Jesus) he wanted to release Jesus. But because the stone hearted Jews, who had close relations with Caesar, warned him that if he does not punish Jesus, they will complain against him, he became very frightened because he was a coward, and could not remain steadfast. He was very afraid, because some influential Jewish scholars had approached Caesar and kept informing him that he was trouble and an enemy of his government and even trying to organize a group to attack Caesar.
(Tazkirat-ul Sahadatain page 26)

Pilate, the Governor, before whom the case of Jesus was presented, was actually a follower of Jesus and his wife as well. For this reason he washed his hands from the blood of Jesus. Although he was his follower and the Governor of the state but he did not have enough courage to save him even though Jesus was innocent.  (Tazkirat-ul Shahaadatain page 23-24)

As The Roman Empire declared Jesus a traitor, Pilate also under the same accusation was killed by the command of Caesar (he was condemned to death under the command of Caesar) as he and his wife were secret followers of Jesus. It was necessary for Jesus to leave the country secretly, and not take a group of people with him. So Jesus only took Thomas, his disciple with him, just as the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) took Hazrat Abu Bakr with him when he migrated to Madinah. (Baraaheen-e Ahmadiyya Volume: V page 226)

Severe Punishment to Pilate for Disregarding God’s Warning

Most Christians believe that this dream was in fact a true one because they know in their recorded history that Pilate was later punished by God. Later, Jews reportedly complained to the Roman Emperor against Pilate stating that Pilate helped a criminal, Jesus, escape death by crucifixion and more importantly that he converted to Christianity. On account of this complaint, he was called back to Rome. A trial was held and he was later crucified.

“His attempt to evade responsibility in the trial of Jesus was caused by his fear of the high priests’ power and his difficult responsibility for peace of Palestine.” According to the tradition, he committed suicide at Rome.” (Encyclopedia)

It is also mentioned in the Encyclopedia, under Pontius Pilate:

“Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26-36) was supposedly a ruthless governor, and he was removed at the complaint of Samaritans, among whom he engineered a massacre. His attempt to evade responsibility in the trial of Jesus was caused by his fear of the high priests’ power and his difficult responsibility for the peace of Palestine.”

Pilate’s Political Ruin

Pontius Pilate and the Jews

Pilate’s authority over all persons in his area except Roman citizens was virtually absolute. On the other hand Jews were granted a degree of liberty and self government. Pilate outraged the Jews by sending soldiers in to Jerusalem with Roman military standards bearing emblems that the Jews regarded as idolatrous. This had been attempted before, and the Jewish opposition was so strong that the Roman authorities removed the offensive insignia from standards that were carried into the city of Jerusalem. When Pilate reversed this policy he met with determined Jewish resistance, which he sought to overcome by threatening to kill the objectors. Finding them adamant in their opposition and not afraid to die, Pilate finally had to yield the point. This incident reveals poor judgment, stubbornness, and finally weakness on Pilate’s part. Pilate further outraged the Jews by appropriating the corban money, or religious contributions from the temple treasury, to finance the construction of an aqueduct, some twenty five miles in length, to bring water to Jerusalem from the highlands of the city. The Jews considered this action sacrilegious and reacted violently. Many roisters were killed by Pilate’s soldiers. This may be the atrocity mentioned in Luke (13: 1-2).

Philo of Alexandria (Legatio ad Gaium page 38) says:-

The Jews exasperated Pilate to the greatest possible degree, as he feared lest they might go on an embassy to the emperor, and might impeach him with respect to other particulars of his government – his corruptions, his acts of insolence, his rapine, his habit of insulting people, his cruelty, and his continual murders of people untried and uncondemned, and his never ending, gratuitous and most grievous inhumanity.

Pilate’s political position was ruined through his own folly. A Samaritan put forth the claim that he knew where on top of Mt. Gerizim, Moses had hidden golden objects pertaining to the tabernacle. This claim proceeded from ignorance and fanaticism for Moses had never crossed the Jordan and thus could not have visited Mt. Gerizim. A large assembly of Samaritans, however, gathered at the base of the mountain, intending to climb to the summit to search for the alleged treasures. Foolishly they were armed with weapons which Pilate interpreted as a threatened insurrection. Many of the Samaritans were killed by Pilate’s soldiers. The Mt. Gerizim affair, however, was a mere passing incident and certainly no real threat to Roman rule. Pilate had killed so many people that the Samaritans filed a complaint with Pilate’s superior, Vitellius, the Roman Governor of Syria. Vitellius deposed Pilate as a procurator of Judea and ordered him to Rome for the judgment to the emperor on his rash conduct in the Gerizim affair. This ended Pilate’s ten years as procurator.

The emperor Tiberius died on 16 March A.D. 37, before Pilate’s arrival in Rome. Apparently Pilate escaped the trail because of the emperor’s death.

All accounts of Pilate after his arrival at Rome are of late date and are considered doubtful and legendary by historians.

It is also written about Pontius Pilate:

Samaritan made a Tumult, and Pilate destroyed many of them. So the Samaritans sent a man who was president of Syria to Vitellius and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed. So Vitellius sent Marcellus, to take care of the Judea, and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the accusation of the Jews. So, Pilate when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this is in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead. (The Works of Josephus, page 482)

Pilate’s end

The common story is that he was banished to the city of Vienne in Gaul where he eventually committed suicide.

This is found in Eusebius (HE, ii. 7).

• According to another story, Pilate was beheaded by order of Tiberius, but repented before his execution.

“Some traditions claim that Pilate died in 39 A.D. on orders of the Roman Emperor Caligula, either by committing suicide or by execution.” (The American People encyclopedia Vol. 15 Page 45)

“He was than ordered back to Rome to stand trial for cruelty and oppression, particularly on the charge that he executed men without proper trial. According to an uncertain 4th –century tradition Pilate killed himself on orders from Emperor Caligula in A.D. 39.
(Encyclopedia of Britannica vol. 9 page 440)

“(He) was removed in 36 (A.D) because of blunders that caused turmoil; he was tried and imprisoned. The Christian historian Eusebius says that he committed suicide.
(New Standard Encyclopedia vol. 13 page 349)

Little is known about the last years of Pilate’s life. History tells us that he was called to Rome to defend himself against charges of cruelty to the Jewish people. A legend says that he was sent to Gaul as an exile and committed suicide there. According to

another story Pilate’s body was thrown first into the Tiber River then into the Rhone. Neither river would receive it. Finally, his body was plunged into a lake near Lucerne; Switzerland. A mountain near this lake is now called Mount Pilatus.
(The world book encyclopedia vol. 15 page 414)

It is also written about Pontius Pilate:

“Samaritan made a Tumult, and Pilate destroyed many of them. So the Samaritans sent a man who was president of Syria to Vitellius and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed. So Vitellius sent Marcellus, to take care of the Judea, and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the accusation of the Jews. So, Pilate when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this is in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead.”
(“The Works of Josephus,” page 482)

It is also mentioned in the Encyclopedia, under Pontius Pilate:

“Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26-36) was supposedly a ruthless governor, and he was removed at the complaint of Samaritans, among whom he engineered a massacre. His attempt to evade responsibility in the trial of Jesus was caused by his fear of the high priests’ power and his difficult responsibility for the peace of Palestine.”

Pilatus Mountain

It is written in “The American People encyclopedia vol. 15 (page 45): –

“In Central Switzerland, over looking the SW arm of the Vierwaldststtersee; 6 miles SW of Luzern; elevation 6,994 feet, Mount Pilatus was known as Frakmund until the fifteenth century; it was then named for Pontius Pilate, whose body, according to legend, was thrown into a lake on the mountain.”

Another apocryphal legend relates that after his suicide his body was thrown into the Tiber, causing such violent disturbances in the water that it was removed and taken to Vienne and there sunk in the Rhon, where similar effect again occurred, and it was finally consigned to a deep pool in the Alps.
(Collier’s Encyclopedia vol.19 page 47)

His name was found 1961 inscribed on a stone slab near Caesarea in modern Israel.

Pilate and his wife as Saints by some Churches

According to another tradition, he and his wife, Procula, converted to Christianity. Procula is considered a saint in the Greek Orthodox Church, and both she and Pilate are saints in Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The Coptic Church is said to observe June 25 as a day honoring Pilate as a saint and martyr. (A Souter in HDCG, ii 366)
In later years it was claimed that Pilate actually became a Christian, and the Copts and Abyssinians rank him among the saints. His wife, Procula, has also been canonized in the Greek Church. (Collier’s Encyclopedia vol. 19 page 47)

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus portrayed Pontius Pilate as a harsh administrator who failed to understand the religious convictions and national pride of the Jews. Pilate is known mainly for his connection with the trial and execution of Jesus Christ. His culpability in the case has been the subject of debate ever since the event. The governor of Judea had complete judicial authority over all who were not Roman citizens, but many cases—particularly those relating to religious matters—were decided by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme council and tribunal.
According to the Gospel accounts, after the Sanhedrin found Jesus guilty of blasphemy, it committed him to the Roman court because it lacked authority to impose the death sentence. Pilate refused to approve the judgment without investigation. The Jewish priests then made other charges against Jesus, and the governor had a private interview with him. Pilate appears to have been impressed with the dignity and frankness of Jesus’ answers to his questions and to have tried to save him (see John 18:38-39, 19:12-15). Nevertheless, fear of an uprising in Jerusalem forced Pilate to accede to the demand of the populace, and Jesus was executed. Pilate was recalled to Rome in 36 A.D.
According to theologian and church historian Eusebius of Caesarea, Pilate later committed suicide. However, other traditions record that Pilate was secretly a Christian and that he was condemned to death by the Roman Senate. Perhaps
for this reason he is revered as a martyr by the Coptic church, which celebrates his feast day on June 25.
Grave of Pilate is not known to any one.

Legends are confused as to how Pilate died. Eusebius wrote that Pilate was exiled to the city of Vienne on the Rhone in Gaul (France) where he eventually committed suicide.

Pilate ordered to be slain. But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritans senate sent an embassy to Vitellius, a man that had been consul, and who was now president of Syria, and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed; for that they did not go to Tirathaba in order to revolt from the Roman, but to escape the violence of Pilate.

So Vitellius sent Marcellus, a friend of his, to take care of the affairs of Judea, and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the accusation of the Jews so Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead.  (The works of Josephus by William Whiston page 482)

The books for references:

1) Josephus, Antique. and War, 18.iii
2) Philo, of Alexandria De Virtuibus et (Legatione ad Gaium) 38; G.A. Muller
3) Pontius Pilate der funfte Prourator von Judaaa.
4) Trail of Jesus: A legal Monograph (1899) G. Rosadi
5) The Importance of Pontius Pilate in creed and Gospel JTS XIV 38-56 D.H. Wheaton
6) Understanding the New Testament E.M. Blaiklock
7) Archaeology and the New Testament (1962) 67,69,70,98
8) Tacitus, Annals, 15. 44
9) Eusebius (HE, ii 7)
10) Acta Pilati
11) The Virtues, Philo
12) The Jewish War Book II
13) Jewish War, page 127
14) Antiquities/Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus