“While Pilate was sitting

On the judgment seat,

His wife

Sent word to him.

‘Have nothing to do

With that innocent man.

I have suffered

A great deal

Because of a dream

About him.’”

 

Καθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ λέγουσα Μηδὲν σοὶ καὶ τῷ δικαίῳ ἐκείνῳ· πολλὰ γὰρ ἔπαθον σήμερον κατ’ ὄναρ δι’ αὐτόν.

 

This warning from Pilate’s wife was not in the other gospel passion narratives, but was unique to Matthew, who said that while Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat or the tribunal chair (Καθημένου δὲ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος), his wife sent word to him (ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ).  She told him to have nothing to do with that innocent or righteous man (λέγουσα Μηδὲν σοὶ καὶ τῷ δικαίῳ ἐκείνῳ).  She said that she had suffered a great deal because of a dream about him (πολλὰ γὰρ ἔπαθον σήμερον κατ’ ὄναρ δι’ αὐτόν).  This concept of a troubling dream is very reminiscent of the dreams of Joseph in chapters 1-2.  Once again, Matthew tried to vindicate the Roman authority, as opposed to the more guilty Jewish leaders.