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Mark 15:2

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

And {G2532} Pilate {G4091} asked {G1905} him {G846}, Art {G1488} thou {G4771} the King {G935} of the Jews {G2453}? And {G1161} he answering {G611} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou {G4771} sayest {G3004} it.

Pilate put this question to him: "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "The words are yours."

So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering saith unto him, Thou sayest.

Commentary

Context

Mark 15:2 places us firmly in the dramatic scene of Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. After being condemned by the Jewish Sanhedrin for blasphemy, Jesus was handed over to Roman authority because the Sanhedrin lacked the power to execute him. The charge presented to Pilate shifted from a religious one to a political one: that Jesus was claiming to be a king, which would be an act of sedition against Caesar. Pilate's direct question, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" aims to ascertain the political threat Jesus posed to Roman rule.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Jesus' Kingship: Pilate's question assumes a worldly, political kingship, a direct challenge to Roman sovereignty. Jesus' response, while affirmative, subtly distinguishes His true kingship from the political one Pilate envisioned. His kingdom is not of this world, as He explains in John 18:36, yet He is indeed the promised Messiah, the true King.
  • Roman Authority and Divine Sovereignty: This exchange highlights the clash between human, imperial power (Pilate's Roman authority) and God's ultimate divine sovereignty. Pilate, representing the most powerful empire of his time, holds the power of life and death, yet he is unknowingly participating in God's redemptive plan.
  • Jesus' Poise Under Pressure: Despite facing an unjust trial and the threat of crucifixion, Jesus maintains remarkable composure. His concise answer demonstrates His awareness of His identity and purpose, even in the face of accusation.

Linguistic Insights

Jesus' response, "Thou sayest [it]," is a common Semitic idiom (Greek: Su legeis or Su eipas) that functions as an affirmation, often with a nuance of "Yes, that is what you say, and it is true," or "You have said it." It acknowledges the truth of the statement from the questioner's perspective without necessarily embracing all the implications the questioner attaches to it. This same phrase is used by Jesus in Matthew 26:64 when asked by the high priest if He is the Christ, the Son of God. It is a subtle yet powerful affirmation of His identity.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse reminds us that Jesus' kingship is not about worldly power or political dominion, but about spiritual authority and transformative love. It challenges us to consider where our true allegiance lies and to understand that following Christ may put us at odds with the world's systems and expectations. Like Jesus, we are called to stand firm in our identity and truth, even when misunderstood or facing opposition, trusting in God's ultimate plan, which culminated in the crucifixion and resurrection.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 2:2 (7 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 6:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

  • Matthew 27:11 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Matthew 27:14 (4 votes)

    And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

  • Mark 15:26 (3 votes)

    And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • Mark 15:18 (3 votes)

    And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

  • Mark 15:9 (2 votes)

    But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?