In John 19:11, Jesus indicates that Caiaphas’ sin of premeditating Jesus’ murder was a greater sin than that of Pontius Pilate’s of condemning Jesus to death: “For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Why then is Pilate’s name referenced in the Apostles’ Creed instead of Caiaphas?

Jim in Springfield

The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed (which is prayed at Mass) both refer to Jesus as suffering/being crucified “under Pontius Pilate.” This phrase, “under Pontius Pilate,” indicates that Pilate held civil power in Judea at the time. He is mentioned in the creeds because it was Pilate who had jurisdiction to order the crucifixion. The Jewish leaders acknowledged this to Pilate when they said, “We do not have the right to execute anyone” (John 18:31). To drive the point home, when Pilate asks the chief priests, “Shall I crucify your king,” they replied, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Pilate himself claims this jurisdiction when he spoke to Jesus, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” Jesus acknowledges this authority in his answer: “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.” (John 19:10-11).

Another reason Pilate is mentioned is because dating events by referencing civil rulers is quite common and adds to the historical context. For example, Isaiah’s vision of the majesty of God mentions King Uzziah (Is. 6:1), the birth stories of Jesus mention King Herod (Matt. 2:1) and Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1-2), and the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1) mentions several civil leaders. 

To address another point your question raises, I would note that Jesus does not specify to whom he is referring. The Latin reads, “Qui me tradidit tibi” or”[he] who handed me over to thee” has the greater sin. The English translation says, “… the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Who is he or the one? Many Scripture experts point out that Jesus is not referring to Caiaphas alone but to Caiaphas together with his accomplices. Among these biblical commentators are Father Cornelius a Lapide, Father Natalis Alexander, St. Albert the Great, St. Bonaventure, and St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert explicitly includes Judas with an “and” while his pupil, St. Thomas, includes Judas with an “or.” So, when Jesus says that “… the one who handed me over to you has the great sin,” it’s not just Ciaaphas, but a multitude of people. These biblical scholars also point out that Pilate sinned through weakness or cowardice, while Caiaphasand the rest., through malice, which was the greater degree of guilt.  

• Father Jason Stone is pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Decatur and administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes, Decatur.