Luke 23 3

Luke 23:3 kjv

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

Luke 23:3 nkjv

Then Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him and said, "It is as you say."

Luke 23:3 niv

So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied.

Luke 23:3 esv

And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so."

Luke 23:3 nlt

So Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You have said it."

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 3 Meaning

This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate, responding to the Jewish leaders' accusation that Jesus claimed to be a king in defiance of Caesar, directly asks Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus' concise and profound answer, "You say it," functions as an affirmative response. This reply implicitly acknowledges the truth of His kingship, while simultaneously disassociating Himself from any earthly, political, or rebellious interpretation that Pilate or the Jewish accusers might attach to the title. It signifies that His kingship is not of this world, yet He is indeed the King, as even His accuser's question articulates the truth.

Luke 23 3 Context

Luke 23:3 occurs during Jesus' Roman trial before Pontius Pilate, immediately after the Jewish religious council (Sanhedrin) has condemned Him for blasphemy, a charge insufficient for Roman capital punishment. Consequently, the Sanhedrin reframed their accusation before Pilate, alleging political treason. Their charge in Luke 23:2 states Jesus was "perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King." This transformed religious claims into a direct challenge to Roman authority.

Pilate, as the Roman governor responsible for maintaining peace and Caesar's sovereignty, must address any claims of alternative kingship. His direct question, "Are You the King of the Jews?" directly probes the most serious political accusation leveled against Jesus. This inquiry highlights the tension between Rome's perception of authority and Jesus' unique, spiritual definition of His kingdom. Understanding this historical and political backdrop is crucial, as it explains why Pilate, otherwise indifferent to Jewish religious disputes, takes a personal interest in this particular charge.

Luke 23 3 Word analysis

• "Pilate" (Greek: Πιλᾶτος, Pilatos): Pontius Pilate, the fifth prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius. His role as the highest Roman authority in Judea meant he was responsible for justice and suppressing rebellion. His direct questioning shows the official nature of the inquiry.
• "asked Him": Denotes a formal interrogation. Pilate seeks a clear answer to the accusation.
• "saying, 'Are You the King of the Jews?'": (Greek: Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; Sy ei ho basileus tōn Ioudaiōn?)
  • Σὺ (Sy): "You." The use of the emphatic "you" underscores that Pilate is placing the specific claim directly on Jesus. He wants Jesus' own declaration.
  • εἶ (ei): "are." The simple verb "to be" directly questions Jesus' identity and status.
  • ὁ βασιλεὺς (ho basileus): "the king." The definite article implies a specific, perhaps well-known, position. For Jews, "the king" might imply the promised Messiah, while for Romans, it would mean a political pretender to Caesar's authority.
  • τῶν Ἰουδαίων (tōn Ioudaiōn): "of the Jews." This phrase grounds the kingship within a specific ethno-religious group that Rome governed. Claiming to be a king of them was inherently a challenge to Roman suzerainty. It signifies the political accusation against Him, unlike a general religious leader.
• "He answered him and said": Indicates a direct, deliberate response from Jesus. He does not remain silent as He often does when falsely accused (Luke 23:9; Isa 53:7).
• "'You say it.'": (Greek: Σὺ λέγεις, Sy legeis).
  • Σὺ (Sy): "You." Again, an emphatic "you," returning the statement to Pilate himself.
  • λέγεις (legeis): "say." This response is a Greek idiom, akin to "You have said so," "It is as you say," or "Your words are correct." It functions as an affirmative acknowledgement without adopting Pilate's framework or potential misunderstanding of "kingship."
  • This enigmatic answer confirms Jesus' kingship without endorsing Pilate's (or the Jewish accusers') understanding of that kingship as a political threat to Caesar. Jesus is indeed King, but His kingdom is not of this world (Jn 18:36), and therefore poses no political rivalry to earthly rulers. This allows Pilate's words to stand as an unintended confession of truth while maintaining the transcendent nature of Jesus' authority. It shows divine wisdom, acknowledging truth without accepting the flawed premise.

Luke 23 3 Bonus section

The "King of the Jews" title ironically weaves its way throughout Jesus' final hours. It's used by Pilate in this verse, and prominently displayed on the inscription above the cross (Jn 19:19-22) despite Jewish protests. It's used mockingly by soldiers (Lk 23:36; Mk 15:18) and by the religious leaders (Mt 27:42). Even one of the criminals crucified with Jesus acknowledges His kingship, saying, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Lk 23:42). This persistent use, whether in jest, accusation, or genuine faith, unintentionally reinforces the profound truth that Jesus indeed is King—a reality unfolding before a world that largely failed to grasp its true spiritual and universal scope. Pilate's very question becomes an unwilling proclamation of Jesus' ultimate identity.

Luke 23 3 Commentary

Luke 23:3 captures the crucial exchange that sets the stage for Pilate's complex judgment of Jesus. Pilate's question goes to the heart of the political charge: Is Jesus a rebel seeking an earthly throne? Jesus' reply, "You say it," is a profound statement of affirmation wrapped in strategic ambiguity for human understanding. It's a "yes" that simultaneously differentiates His kingship from the political rebellion Rome fears. Jesus affirms He is King, validating Pilate's spoken words, yet by doing so, He implicitly corrects the earthly scope Pilate places upon the title. This brief yet potent response demonstrates Jesus' perfect wisdom under duress, refusing to deny His true identity while also declining to align with a worldly definition that would misrepresent His eternal, spiritual reign. His silence on other charges and deliberate response here reveal a sovereign King who chooses precisely when and how to speak truth, even unto His accusers.