birth of christianity. here in ceseria, the majestic roman port, a fatal determination changed history. the roman governor based here was called on to decide the fate of jesus of nazareth. he would be a harsh judge. he was a brutal, we hear about massacres and the bloodsheds that was connected to the time that he had the rule of judia. he was not a nice person. we have come to the amphitheater in secera with an archaeologist who has spent 20 years conducting excavations in the holy land in 1961 archaeologists discovered proof of pilate s existence. you wouldn t think that at this spot, under this wooden step, this encryption was found,
provided fodder for centuries of seminary students. but from another perspective as well. it s so fascinating whether you re a biblical historian or faithful as well. there is now evidence to confirm his pivotal role in the goss pe gospels. we went to the holy land to explore. on the shore of the mediterranean sea there is an ancient secret as old as the birth of chris chant. here the majestic roman port, a fatal determination changed history. the roman governor based here, pontius pie lat was called on to decide the fate of jesus of nazareth. he would be a harsh judge. he was a brutal we hear of massacres and the blood shed that was connected to the time that he had rule over judea. he was not a nice person.
determination changed history. the roman governor, mon shows pilot was called on to decide the faith of jesus of nazareth. he would be a harsh judge. he was a brutal, we hear about massacres and the bloodshed that was connected to the time that he had the rule of judea. he was not a nice person. reporter: we come to the amphitheater with dr. shimon gibson, an archaeologist who spent more than 20 years conducting excavations in the holy land. in 1961 archaeologists discovered proof of pilot s existence. you wouldn t think that at this spot under this wooden stance, this description was found, a latin inscription mentioning pontius pilot. this is one of the pivotal moments which changes everything because suddenly pontius pilot
the jewish circles at the time, and there were others that were like him. so that s why, and i think the film does a good job of this, really going through the two versions of how he s portrayed where there is competing agendas, competing history and uncertainty about it all. to a lot of christians hearing what that historian gibson said will be a new reckoning, because they have been taught and it has been reinforced that what happened was pontius pilate said to the jews, do you really want me to kill this guy, and he washed his hands and left it up to them, which is something that is at odds with the reckoning you just heard of what kind of a person pontius pilate was, and he was very activist in his violence and decision making. one of the things that s so interesting these are theological debates that i m certainly not going to resolve, but the historical piece is so enter interesting, going to israel where the romans have this unbelievable port. you get the sense he s the
observing the holy season of lent in the weeks leading up to easter. perfect timing for the cnn original series finding jesus returning for its second season on sunday. joining us to talk about his trip to the holy land is david gregory, author of how s your faith. a subject i m interested and passionate about. it s a wonderful experience to be a part of. the series premier of finding jesus focuses in a central figure, the roman governor upon chess pilot. is there evidence about his life that helps confirm the gospel account. we went to the holy land to explore. reporter: on the shore of the mediterranean sea there is an ancient secret as old as the birth of christianity. here in caesarea, the majestic roman port, a fatal