About Him

Matthew 27:15-23
Pilate’s Wife’s Dream

This dream is an interesting one to include in the God-sized Dreams series because we don’t actually get to hear about the dream. We don’t really know if this dream was from God. It is only mentioned in The Gospel of Matthew, and we are only given one verse: “While [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him” (v.19). All we learn is that a Roman woman, who is not a follower of Jesus, had a dream about Jesus that caused her great suffering.
 
What do you think the dream was about? This is the beauty of scripture. It gives us space to explore different interpretations and to bring our own imaginings and experience to the scripture. Here are some questions that invite you to enter this space: What kind of dream would cause you to suffer? Have you had a dream that was so troubling that you considered it a nightmare? Have you had a nightmare that troubled you so much that it influenced your behavior? Perhaps it caused you to act or not act in a certain way. Have you ever had a dream about Jesus? A dream “about him” was what caused Pilate’s wife to act.
 
Some scholars feel that it was a prophetic dream that told the future about Jesus’ death on the cross. Even though Jesus was innocent, he would be crucified. This event was ordained by God to redeem humanity, so she sent word to her husband to stay out of it, so Jesus can die for our sins. Others have taken it a step further to say the dream was from Satan, to try to prevent Jesus’ death and redemption of humanity.
 
Other scholars believe that proving Jesus’ innocence was key. Romans valued justice because it gave them permission to rule people. The dream convinced her of Jesus’ innocence, and she sent word so that true justice could be served. After several failed attempts, Pilate washed his hands of it, but affirmed Jesus’ innocence. It was a nightmare because justice wouldn’t be served, and Pilate’s name would forever be attached to this historic event.
 
Some think that God was trying to protect Jesus. When Jesus was born, God directed Joseph through four dreams in order to protect Jesus from being killed. God was doing the same thing by sending a message to a person that could influence the judgment, so he wouldn’t be crucified.
 
Behind all of these interpretations is someone’s theology. Their thoughts and beliefs about God influence how they interpret scripture. When we enter into this space, we will do the same. We bring our own theology, our understanding of God, to scripture, and that influences how we interpret it.
 
All we truly know is that Pilate’s wife had a dream about Jesus and something about the dream troubled her. When my dreams trouble me, it’s because they seem so real as if it actually happened. They stay with me after I awake. I can’t shake them. My nightmares have always been about someone hurting me or my children. I consider it a nightmare if those closest to me, those whom I love deeply, die.
 
I wonder if Jesus came to Pilate’s wife in a dream to show her who he truly is. He brings her love and peace, and the thought of losing this love causes her to suffer greatly. It stays with her and she can’t shake it, so she acts. She does all she knows to do, which is to send word to her husband who has the power to save him. Yet, even after his attempts, he can’t prevent this dream from becoming a nightmare.
 
Sometimes our dreams about Jesus will become nightmares. They stay with us and cause unrest until we surrender. Maybe our initial understanding of Jesus clashes with a new understanding. Our understanding of God no longer matches the one we were taught and that wreaks havoc on our lives.
Dreams about Jesus can turn our lives upside down. The one who brings love and peace can make our old lives feel like a nightmare without it.
 
Dreaming about Jesus is dreaming about a love that can change the world. Pilate’s wife saw a glimpse of how this love could change the world, and she was compelled to act. We are invited to dream “about him” too, so we can put Christ’s love into action.
 
What is one thing you can do today that puts Christ’s love into action?