15:2a

So Pilate questioned Him: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as Pilate questioned Him occurs before the question. Here is another way to order this phrase:

“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate (New International Version, 2011 edition)

Order in a way that is natural in your language.

“Are You the King of the Jews?”: The title King of the Jews is used here for the first time in Mark.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Are you king of the Jewish people?
-or-
Are you the Jews’ chief/leader?

Pilate was probably concerned that Jesus might claim to be the king of the Jews and challenge Roman authority.

You: In Greek, the word You is emphatic. In some languages this emphasis can be shown by saying something like:

Is it you who are the king of the Jews?
-or-
Are you the one who is king of the Jews?

King of the Jews: Since the Romans ruled the Jewish people, a claim to be King of the Jews would be a challenge to Roman authority. It would be a form of treason which was punishable by death.

15:2b

You have said so: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You have said so is literally “You(sing) yourself say so.” The word in Greek that means “you” is probably emphatic.

Scholars disagree about what Jesus indicated by his answer. Here are the two interpretations:

(1) Jesus did not indicate whether he agreed with Pilate. He indicated only that it was Pilate who had used the words “king of the Jews.” For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

You have said so.

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, 2011 edition, Good News Bible, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, King James Version, New Century Version, NLT04, Revised English Bible)

(2) Jesus indicated that he agreed with Pilate. For example, the God’s Word says:

Yes, I am.

(New International Version (1984 Revision), God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation, 1996 edition)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Jesus did not deny what Pilate had said. But he did not indicate definite agreement. Jesus did not claim to be a political king. Therefore, he was not a threat to the Roman emperor. He was a different sort of king.

Jesus replied: The Berean Standard Bible places the clause Jesus replied after Jesus’ answer. In Greek, this clause occurs before Jesus’ answer. Place this clause where it is natural in your language.

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