Claudia (fl. 26–36 CE)

views updated

Claudia (fl. 26–36 ce)

Biblical woman. Name variations: Claudia Procula. Flourished around 26–36 ce; married Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea during the time of Jesus' ministry and Crucifixion.

Referred to in the Bible as Pilate's wife, Claudia asked that Jesus' life be spared. While her husband ascended the judgment seat to hear the accusations against Jesus, she sent a message through a servant imploring Pilate to "have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over Him in a dream." Although Pilate was perplexed by this incident, he eventually yielded to the crowd and sent Jesus away to be scourged.