Devine Scripture

Mark 15:2

What does Mark 15:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:2 means

Pilate’s question, “Art thou the King of the Jews?” probes Jesus’ identity in political terms. Jesus’ answer, “Thou sayest,” neither denies nor affirms in ordinary language; it acknowledges the title’s applicability while avoiding direct engagement with Pilate’s politics. The reply is measured and sovereign: Jesus does not contest the label but reframes kingship beyond Pilate’s expectations. It reveals Jesus as one who will not manipulate a Roman court to escape destiny, and it anticipates a kingdom not of this world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Pilate put a question to him, Are you the King of the Jews? And he, answering, said to him, You say so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Pilate questioned him, `Art thou the king of the Jews?' and he answering said to him, `Thou dost say <FI>it<Fi> .'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Pilate asked him: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, saith to him: Thou sayest it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered and said to him, Thou sayest.

Context

Pilate’s interrogation follows the council’s delivery of Jesus. The question shifts the discussion from theological accusations to a Roman issue: possible sedition. This verse launches the Roman trial motif and introduces the tension between Jesus’ true kingship and the political anxieties of Roman rule that shape Pilate’s response and the crowd’s demands.

v.1And straightway in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.

v.2This passage

v.3And the chief priests accused him of many things.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 15:9

    And Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

  • 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.

  • John 19:19

    And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • 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.

  • John 18:29

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

  • Mark 15:26

    And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

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