“Pilate asked Jesus.
‘Are you
The King of the Jews?’
Jesus answered him.
‘You say so.’”
καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ Πειλᾶτος Σὺ εἶ ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει Σὺ λέγεις.
This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 27:11. Luke, chapter 23:3, is similar, but there is a longer introduction before Pilate spoke. In John, chapter 18:33-35 there was a longer discussion between Jesus and Pilate. Mark said that Pilate asked Jesus (καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ Πειλᾶτος). He wanted to know if Jesus was the “King of the Jews (Σὺ εἶ ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων).” If Jesus responded that he was, then he could be considered a threat to the ruling Roman authority. Instead, Jesus had a simple reply (ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς αὐτῷ λέγει) that if he Pilate had said so, then it must be so (Σὺ λέγεις). Jesus would only confirm what Pilate had said, without saying it explicitly himself. Thus, Jesus was identified as the King of the Jews, or leading a political rebellion against the Roman authorities, without saying so himself. Are you reluctant to speak out?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 