Mark 15:2
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεὺς
the King
G935
βασιλεὺς
the King
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
9 of 18
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answering
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answering
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
14 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
Cross References
Matthew 2:2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.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 15:18And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!Mark 15:26And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Historical Context
'King of the Jews' was explosive language. Rome allowed client kings (like the Herods) but unauthorized claims to kingship constituted maiestas (treason), punishable by crucifixion. The title appeared on Jesus's cross (15:26), transforming accusation into proclamation. Pilate's question suggests the Sanhedrin had briefed him on political charges. The prefect cared nothing for Jewish religious disputes (Acts 18:15) but moved swiftly against threats to Roman order.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did the Sanhedrin change their charge from blasphemy to kingship when approaching Pilate?
- How does Jesus's response 'Thou sayest it' both acknowledge and redefine the nature of His kingship?
- What does Pilate's question reveal about Roman concerns versus Jewish religious issues?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? (καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ Πιλᾶτος, Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; kai epērōtēsen auton ho Pilatos, Sy ei ho basileus tōn Ioudaiōn?)—The verb ἐπερωτάω (eperōtaō) means to question, interrogate. The title 'King of the Jews' (βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων, basileus tōn Ioudaiōn) was political, not religious—a charge of sedition against Caesar. The Sanhedrin reframed blasphemy (14:64) as treason for Roman consumption.
And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it (ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει, Σὺ λέγεις, ho de apokritheis autō legei, Sy legeis)—This cryptic response (σὺ λέγεις, sy legeis, 'you say') was neither full affirmation nor denial. It acknowledged Pilate's terms while refusing to elaborate. Jesus was indeed King, but not the political revolutionary Pilate feared. His kingdom was 'not of this world' (John 18:36). The response confounded Pilate, who found 'no fault' (John 18:38) yet faced a determined accusation.