Σὺ εἶ ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων; The question is identical in all four. The Jews themselves say “King of Israel” (Mark 15:32), but to Pilate they would say “King of the Jews.” The σύ is emphatic and expressive of surprise; He certainly did not look like one who would claim kingly power. For ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει see on Mark 3:33 and Mark 8:29.

Σὺ λέγεις. Christ recognizes Pilate’s authority and his right to ask, and His Σύ also is emphatic; “That is thy statement.” Christ neither affirms nor denies it; He gives what Theophylact calls ἀμφίβολος�. He could not say that He was not King of the Jews; on the other hand He was not a king in Pilate’s sense. But the reply is probably nearer to assent than to denial; see on Mark 14:62. Σὺ λέγε ς is in all three; not in Jn.

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Old Testament