"Pilate (Pontius) was the Roman governor of Judea when Jesus was executed. Although he believed in the innocence of Jesus, he yielded to Jewish pressure and pronounced the death sentence, at the same time publicly washing his hands of responsibility.

Pilate and Caiaphas represented to Blake the twin evils of State and Church. Founded upon morality, their principles were contrary to those of Jesus (On Bacon)"

Pilate in the Catholic Encyclopedia

Pilate in the Encyclopedia Britannica