Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:11

What does Matthew 27:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:11 means

Jesus stands before Pilate, and the governor asks if he is ‘the King of the Jews.’ Jesus answers, ‘Thou sayest,’ a brief affirmation that recognizes how others label him while avoiding a direct self-definition that might inflame political charges. Jesus’ manner shows controlled submission; he accepts the title but does not play the game of earthly politics. His reply hints at the kingship he embodies—not as a worldly rival to Rome but as the Messiah whose kingdom is of a different order.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus was before the ruler, who put a question to him, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor did question him, saying, `Art thou the king of the Jews!' And Jesus said to him, `Thou sayest.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor questioned him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, Thou sayest.

Context

This verse opens Jesus’ appearance before Pilate after the earlier scenes of betrayal and Judas (vv. 1–10). It shifts the focus to civil authority and the political charge against Jesus. The governor’s question frames the trial: is Jesus a political threat? Jesus’ measured response sets the tone for the trial’s tension between political accusation and spiritual reality.

v.10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

v.11This passage

v.12And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 18:29

    Pilate therefore went out unto them, and saith, What accusation bring ye against this man?

  • Matthew 10:25

    It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!

  • Mark 15:2

    And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering saith unto him, Thou sayest.

  • Mark 14:62

    And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

  • Matthew 2:2

    Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

  • Luke 23:2

    And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.

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