Matthew 27:11

¶ And 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.

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} stood {G2476} before {G1715} the governor {G2232}: and {G2532} the governor {G2232} asked {G1905} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} the King {G935} of the Jews {G2453}? And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G5346} unto him {G846}, Thou {G4771} sayest {G3004}.

Meanwhile, Yeshua was brought before the governor, and the governor put this question to him: "Are you the King of the Jews?" Yeshua answered, "The words are yours."

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him: “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Now 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.

Matthew 27:11 records the pivotal moment when Jesus, having been delivered by the Jewish religious leaders, stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' Roman trial, a critical phase leading to His crucifixion.

Context

Following His arrest in Gethsemane and an illegal trial by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court), Jesus was brought to Pilate. The Jewish authorities, unable to carry out a death sentence under Roman law, needed Pilate's sanction. While their internal charge against Jesus was blasphemy (claiming to be the Son of God), they presented Him to Pilate as a political insurgent, one who claimed to be the "King of the Jews," a direct challenge to Caesar's authority. Pilate's immediate question, "Art thou the King of the Jews?", reflects his concern for Roman stability and the potential for rebellion in a volatile province.

Key Themes

  • The Question of Kingship: Pilate's inquiry directly addresses the core accusation designed to provoke Roman intervention. It highlights the stark contrast between the Jewish leaders' political framing of Jesus' claim and the true nature of His spiritual kingdom.
  • Jesus' Affirmation and Nuance: Jesus' response, "Thou sayest," is a significant Jewish idiom of affirmation. It acknowledges the truth of Pilate's statement—that He is indeed a King—but simultaneously implies a different understanding of that kingship than Pilate, or even His accusers, might have. Jesus is indeed King, but His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36), transcending earthly political power.
  • Divine Authority vs. Earthly Power: This exchange sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between the ultimate divine authority embodied in Jesus and the temporal, limited power of the Roman Empire, represented by Pilate.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "Thou sayest" (Greek: Su legeis) is a common Semitic idiom. While it functions as an affirmative "Yes, that is true," it often carries a nuance that shifts the responsibility of the statement's implication back to the questioner. It's as if Jesus is saying, "You've said it yourself, and it is true, but perhaps not in the way you understand it." This subtle yet powerful reply acknowledges His identity without succumbing to the political trap laid by His accusers.

Reflection and Application

Matthew 27:11 compels us to consider the nature of Jesus' kingship. He did not deny being a king, even when it meant His condemnation. His kingship is not about earthly dominion or political power, but about spiritual sovereignty and truth. For believers today, this verse is a powerful reminder that Jesus is indeed Lord and King, and our allegiance belongs to Him above all earthly authorities. His kingdom is eternal, and His reign is established not by force, but by sacrificial love and divine decree. We are called to acknowledge and live under the rule of this true King, understanding that His kingdom operates on principles vastly different from the world's.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 15:2

    And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest [it].

  • Mark 15:5

    But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

  • Luke 23:2

    And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

  • Luke 23:3

    And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest [it].

  • Matthew 26:25

    Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

  • Matthew 26:64

    Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

  • Matthew 2:2

    Saying, 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.

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