What was the Dream of Pilate's Wife?

“Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, ‘Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.’” (Matthew 27:19)

There are many stories of the Lord speaking through dreams in the Bible, however, there is only one in which the recipient is a woman. Recorded only in the Gospel of St. Matthew is the story of Pontius Pilate’s wife, who had a dream concerning Jesus, leading her to demand that her husband “have nothing to do with that righteous man” (Mt 27:19).

The Gospel is silent, however, on the content of the dream, Matthew records only that Pilate’s wife suffered greatly because of it. 

What did Pilate’s wife, whom tradition has named Claudia Procula, see in her dream that would lead her to confront her husband, intervening and attempting to stop the condemnation of Jesus?

One pious tradition is that, in her dream, Claudia heard the voices of millions of people, in a thousand different languages, repeating in chorus the words, “under Pontius Pilate, under Pontius Pilate, under Pontius Pilate.”

Unbeknownst to her, Claudia heard in simultaneity the recitation of the Nicene Creed as prayed by Christians across all times, places, and languages. In the Creed, the central role of Pontius Pilate in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ is etched forever in the Church’s profession of faith.

Perhaps this is why the Gospel describes the dream of Pilate’s wife as being so troubling, for in it she witnesses in a dramatic way the full effect of Pilate’s role in the trial of Jesus of Nazareth. The world will never forget the name Pontius Pilate, rather, the name will live on in infamy. The name Pilate will forever be remembered in connection with the suffering, crucifixion, and death of the Son of God.

Not only will his name be remembered, but it will be repeated, day after day, on the lips of millions of Christians, in a thousand different languages… “Under Pontius Pilate..”