11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” Matthew 27:11–14 (ESV)
“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:1–5 (ESV)
“Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” (Luke 23:1–5 (ESV)
28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.” (John 18:28–32 (ESV)
It was this statement regarding Jesus’ kingship which caught Pilate’s attention. Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” The Lord’s response sparked an interesting interchange between the two individuals.
Matthew recorded “Jesus stood before the governor.” The Greek grammar reveals Jesus was placed before Pilate to stand trial; not unlike the apostles before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:27). In other words, Jesus was facing a judge and jury in Pilate. Ironically, Pilate was also facing his eternal judge. Jesus knew who Pilate was. However, Pilate had no clue the identity of Jesus.
Pilate asked Jesus a direct question: “Are you the King of the Jews?” The Greek grammar indicates Pilate continually asked this question. Perhaps because Jesus stood silently before him. He wanted Jesus to tell the truth whether He was presently and actively the one and only king possessing absolute authority over the Jewish people? Jesus continually responded with the statement, ““You have said so.”
“When Pilate now asked Jesus, “You are the king of the Jews?” he asked it because he felt that for his own protection—as already explained—he had to do this, and not because he himself believed the charge. How could he believe it? The situation was entirely too ridiculous, too unreal,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
“As if Jews, grievously vexed by the yoke of the oppressor and yearning for the time when they would be able to shake it off and once again enjoy victories under their own kings, would be so very displeased with one of their own countrymen who supposedly was of one mind with them and was even willing to be their leader, that for this reason, out of love for Rome, they wanted him to be crucified! No, Pilate could not believe that. Besides, he already knew the real reason why they hated Jesus and had Him arraigned (Matt. 27:18).”
“Are You the King of the Jews? The answer came in the affirmative. But as John recorded, Jesus’ kingdom at that time was not a political kingdom to rival Rome (John 18:33–37),” states the Bible Knowledge Commentary.
Pontius Pilate did not understand Jesus was/is the King of kings who providentially appointed Pontius Pilate to his governorship (Romans 13:1). While Jesus faced His temporal human judge historically, Pilate faced his eternal, divine judge.
Soli deo Gloria!
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