Archaeologists have discovered the location of Pilate’s judgment seat where Jesus was sentenced to die on the cross

Pilate’s judgment seat by James Tissot 1886-189/Wikipedia/Public Domain

²⁸Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium [Governor’s official residence], and it was early; and they themselves did not enter the Praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. ²⁹Therefore Pilate came out to them and *said, “What accusation are you bringing against this Man?” (John 18:28-29 NASV)

According to a YouTube video, Archaeologist Joel Kramer stated they have found the spot where Pontius Pilate judged Jesus and later the Romans soldiers flogged the Lord, God TV reports.

Referred to as Pilate’s judgment seat it was located between the palace of Pontius Pilate who was governor of Judea and the barracks that housed the Roman guard. The palace had originally been constructed by King Herod, and became the governor of Judea’s residence after Herod’s death.

The layout of Jerusalem, including the Jewish Temple, Pontius Pilate’s residence, Pilate’s judgment seat, and the Roman barracks. Credit: YouTube capture with annotations added

“This [Judgement seat] is where Pontius Pilate would speak to the people, where he would sit on his judgment seat,” Kramer said.

The Apostle John refers to Pilate’s judgment seat, also called Gabbatha, as being the location where Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion after the Jewish priests refused Pilate’s offer to release the Lord.

¹³Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called ^[a]The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. …¹⁵So they shouted, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate *said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king except Caesar.” ¹⁶So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.(John 19:13, 15-16 NASV)

The word Gabbatha is derived from another Greek word that means elevation. This suggests that Pilate’s judgment seat was probably built on top of a large platform from which he would have looked down on the crowd before passing his sentence.

The location of the judgment seat was discovered from a study of the numerous Bible references to it and ancient maps of the city.

Aside from discovering the location of Pilate’s judgment seat, archaeologists have also found the remains of Pilate’s palace, where Jesus was flogged.

A gate was constructed near the palace and judgment seat, allowing Pilate an easy escape if the Jews ever rebelled.

READ: Place Where Jesus Was Judged By Pontius Pilate Discovered!