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;
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 which made Pilate perfectly easy, and desirous to release him, as appears by what follows.