The Jewish author Josephus refers to Pilate in his two major works: the Jewish War and the Antiquities of the Jews. The War, written c. 75–9 ce, contains two incidents concerning the prefect; the Antiquities, published around 93/4 adds two more and describes Pilate's return to Rome. Although both books were written in Rome under Flavian patronage and Josephus himself was born after Pilate's dismissal from Judaea, Josephus was a native of Jerusalem and his description of Pilate probably relies on information passed down to him by his parents and grandparents. Yet, as was the case with Philo, Josephus' dramatic historical narrative has been shaped to some degree by his particular theological and rhetorical aims.

The following discussion will analyse Josephus' works separately, taking into consideration their particular objectives and the role Pilate plays in each one. The historical background behind each incident will then be explored.

The Jewish War

In his first literary work Josephus has three important aims: to explain the tragedy which befell the Jewish people, in particular the destruction of the Temple; to attempt to improve the strained relations between Jews and Romans after the war; and, most importantly, to impress upon other nations the futility of revolt against Rome.

Josephus understands and interprets the catastrophic political events leading to the war in theological terms. The blame, he maintains, lay with no foreign nation but with the Jews themselves. Internal strife between Jewish factions led to disunity amongst God's people and the transgression of the Law by those in favour of revolt.