27:11–14 Standing before the governor (in the New Testament hēgemōn is used of Roman legates, procurators, and proconsuls) Jesus is asked if he is the king of the Jews. The title reflects a gentile perspective: Jews would refer to themselves as Israel. As in 26:25 and 64, Jesus answers sy legeis (lit., “You said [it]”). The ambiguity of the answer has been interpreted to mean that Jesus is in fact the king but not in any sense that Pilate would understand (Beare, p. 527). Jesus does not, however, answer the accusations made by the chief priests and elders (cf. Isa. 53:7). Pilate is disturbed by Jesus’ refusal to defend himself. He would like to have dismissed him with the verdict “not guilty,” but silence on the part of the accused could be taken as an acknowledgment of guilt. When Jesus w…