Luke 23:3
And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγεις
sayest
G3004
λέγεις
sayest
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς
the King
G935
βασιλεὺς
the King
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
10 of 19
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
15 of 19
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
John 1:49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.1 Timothy 6:13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;Mark 15:2And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.Luke 22:70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.Mark 15:18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!Mark 15:32Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.Matthew 27:11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.John 19:3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.Luke 23:38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Historical Context
This interrogation occurred during Passover week (c. AD 30-33) in Pilate's Jerusalem headquarters, likely Herod's palace. Pontius Pilate served as Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26-36). As a Roman citizen accused of treason, Jesus received a formal trial. The title "King of the Jews" was politically charged—Rome had executed Jewish messianic claimants before, and Pilate faced pressure to maintain order during the volatile Passover festival.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's non-denial yet qualified affirmation of His kingship model wisdom when speaking truth to hostile authorities?
- What does Pilate's question reveal about the world's tendency to reduce spiritual reality to political categories?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Art thou the King of the Jews?—Pilate's question cuts to the heart of Rome's political concern. The Greek βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων (basileus tōn Ioudaiōn) carried seditious implications under Roman rule, as only Caesar could authorize kings. The charge before Pilate (v. 2) was explicitly political: perverting the nation, forbidding tribute to Caesar, and claiming kingship.
Thou sayest it (σὺ λέγεις, sy legeis)—Jesus's response is neither evasive nor a simple affirmation. This rabbinic idiom acknowledges the truth of Pilate's words while redirecting responsibility for the statement back to the questioner. Jesus confirms His kingship but in a way that forces Pilate to confront what kind of king stands before him—not a revolutionary zealot, but the promised Messiah whose kingdom "is not of this world" (John 18:36). The irony is profound: the true King of Kings stands trial before a temporal governor.