And Pilate asked him, saying
Observing that it was said, he had given himself out to be a king; for as for what regarded religion, he took no notice of it; he put this question to him,
art thou the King of the Jews?
that their prophecies speak of, and they have expected;
and he answered him and said, thou sayest it;
that is, thou sayest well; it is as thou sayest, I am the King of the Jews; (See Gill on Matthew 27:11) though he did not leave this without an explanation; without informing him what sort of a king he was, and what kind of a kingdom he had; see ( John 18:36 John 18:37 ) which made Pilate perfectly easy, and desirous to release him, as appears by what follows.