Matthew 27 11

Matthew 27:11 kjv

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 27:11 nkjv

Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "It is as you say."

Matthew 27:11 niv

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied.

Matthew 27:11 esv

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so."

Matthew 27:11 nlt

Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. "Are you the king of the Jews?" the governor asked him. Jesus replied, "You have said it."

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 11 Meaning

Matthew 27:11 describes the initial confrontation between Jesus and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, after Jesus had been delivered by the Jewish religious leaders. Pilate, seeking to understand the formal charge that would justify a Roman trial, asks Jesus directly if He is "the King of the Jews." Jesus responds with the significant phrase, "Thou sayest," which is a nuanced affirmation of His kingship, acknowledging the truth of Pilate's question while likely implying that His kingdom is not of the worldly, political nature that Pilate or the Jewish leaders perceived. This moment pivots the narrative from a religious to a political accusation, setting the stage for His crucifixion.

Matthew 27 11 Context

Matthew 27:11 marks a crucial transition in Jesus' trial. Having been condemned by the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court) for blasphemy in Matthew 26:66, Jesus is handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, because the Sanhedrin lacked the authority to carry out a death sentence. The Jewish leaders reformulate their religious charge (blasphemy, claiming to be God's Son) into a political one suitable for Roman jurisdiction: insurrection, claiming to be a king in opposition to Caesar. Pilate, representing Roman authority, initiates his own inquiry by directly addressing this specific charge. The historical and cultural context highlights the tension between Roman occupation and Jewish messianic hopes. Pilate's interest is in maintaining peace and Roman control, making any claim of "kingship" a matter of serious political concern. The verse captures the formal initiation of Jesus' Roman trial, shifting the scene from the darkness of the night Jewish tribunal to the broader stage of imperial Roman justice.

Matthew 27 11 Word analysis

• And Jesus (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς - ho de Iēsoūs): "Jesus," from the Greek Iēsoūs, rooted in the Hebrew "Yeshua" (Joshua), meaning "Yahweh saves." This names the central figure of God's saving plan. "Ho de" functions as a transitional phrase, highlighting a shift to a new scene or subject, bringing Jesus directly into Pilate's presence.
• stood (ἔστη - estē): Past tense of ἵστημι (histēmi), meaning "to stand." This posture denotes readiness for examination or judgment. It contrasts with typical images of captives brought in chains or humbled; Jesus stands with a sense of quiet authority and presence, rather than abject submission. It's a formal stance in a legal proceeding.
• before (ἔμπροσθεν - emprosthen): "In the presence of," "before." It signifies direct confrontation and a legal appearance, highlighting Pilate's judicial authority over Jesus at this moment.
• the governor (τοῦ ἡγεμόνος - tou hēgemonos): Referring to Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea. His title, "governor" (ἡγεμών, hēgemōn), indicates his administrative and military authority within the Roman province. This points to the ultimate authority in the region and sets the legal stage under Roman law.
• And the governor (καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ ἡγεμὼν - kai epērōtēsen auton ho hēgemōn): Introduces Pilate's action. Pilate takes the initiative to interrogate Jesus, indicating his judicial role and his need to ascertain the charges for himself.
• asked him (ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτόν - epērōtēsen auton): "He asked him, interrogated him." The Greek verb (epērōtaō) suggests a formal inquiry or cross-examination in a legal context.
• saying (λέγων - legōn): A participle meaning "saying." It introduces the specific content of Pilate's direct question.
• Art thou (Σὺ εἶ - Sy ei): "Are you," literally "You are." The emphatic placement of "Sy" (you) highlights that the question is directed specifically at Jesus' personal identity and claim. It's a direct challenge to His status.
• the King of the Jews (ὁ Βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων - ho Basileus tōn Ioudaiōn): This is the precise accusation brought by the Jewish leaders to Pilate (Lk 23:2). It’s a highly political charge in a Roman context, implying sedition against Caesar. However, it also echoes ancient Israelite messianic prophecies of a king from the line of David who would reign over Israel, giving it deep religious significance for the Jews. The irony lies in its double meaning: political threat to Rome, spiritual truth for God's plan.
• And Jesus (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς - ho de Iēsoūs): Again, emphasizes Jesus' direct and personal response.
• said unto him (ἔφη αὐτῷ - ephē autō): "He said to him." Simple declaration introducing Jesus' response.
• Thou sayest (Σὺ λέγεις - Sy legeis): An idiomatic Greek phrase used in this context. While often a clear affirmation, "You say," or "It is as you say," in the presence of powerful implications it can carry a nuance that acknowledges the truth while implicitly correcting or qualifying the speaker's understanding. Here, it is an affirmation of His kingship, but likely distinguishing it from the earthly, political kingship Pilate might understand, echoing Jesus' statement in John 18:36-37 that His kingdom is not of this world. It’s also similar to "You have said it" (Mt 26:64) which Jesus used to affirm being the Christ.

Words-group analysis:

• "And Jesus stood before the governor": This phrase emphasizes the transfer of authority and jurisdiction from Jewish religious leaders to Roman civil power. Jesus, who previously stood before Caiaphas, now stands before Pilate, highlighting the progression of the Passion narrative. It is a formal, public setting where the destiny of humanity's Savior is debated.
• "And the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews?": This signifies Pilate's direct engagement with the central, political accusation against Jesus. It underscores the irony that the one accused of being an earthly king is truly the King of all kings, yet facing judgment from a worldly ruler. Pilate's question probes the exact nature of the charge, attempting to understand if Jesus poses a genuine threat to Roman authority. The "King of the Jews" phrase is charged with meaning, encompassing both the Jews' long-held hopes for a Davidic Messiah and the Roman perception of a rebel leader.
• "And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.": This concise response is profound. It's not a simple 'yes,' which could have been misinterpreted as an admission of a political plot, but a layered affirmation. It validates Pilate's statement while subtly correcting its underlying premise concerning the nature of His kingdom. It can be understood as: "Yes, I am what you say, but not in the way you mean it" or "You are correct in what you have just declared, but your understanding is limited." It sets the stage for a dramatic contrast between Pilate's earthly power and Jesus' divine sovereignty and ultimate, true kingship, which transcends all earthly crowns.

Matthew 27 11 Bonus section

The dialogue between Pilate and Jesus regarding "King of the Jews" echoes deep messianic expectations within Judaism. Many Jews anticipated a Davidic Messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. Pilate's question, born out of this volatile political context, inadvertently forces Jesus to address this misunderstanding of His kingship. Jesus' nuanced answer, "Thou sayest," reflects the challenge He consistently posed to traditional interpretations of the Messiah. He did not deny His royalty, but redefined it. This also foreshadows the inscription Pilate would later place on the cross: "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (Mt 27:37), an ironic yet profound public declaration of His identity, fulfilling prophecy even in ignominy. The scene also highlights Pilate's dilemma – initially finding no fault in Jesus, he is pressured by external forces to condemn Him, revealing the interplay of divine will, human choices, and the political climate of the Roman Empire.

Matthew 27 11 Commentary

Matthew 27:11 opens the Roman phase of Jesus' trial, a critical moment that reveals the clash between worldly power and divine truth. Pilate's question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" encapsulates the political charge crafted by the Jewish authorities, hoping to compel Roman intervention for a death sentence. It is ironic that an earthly governor interrogates the eternal King of the universe concerning His rightful dominion. Jesus' answer, "Thou sayest," is a masterful and intentional response. It affirms His kingship, a fundamental truth of His identity and mission, yet does so without accepting the earthly, rebellious connotations Pilate's question implies. It asserts the reality of His royalty while leaving room for the distinct, spiritual, and heavenly nature of His kingdom (Jn 18:36). This answer prevents Pilate from easily condemning Him as a political insurrectionist, setting the stage for Pilate's subsequent indecision and Jesus' ultimate self-sacrifice, where His kingly identity would be fully manifested through His death and resurrection. The cross itself would paradoxically proclaim His kingship.