Pilate needed to know whether Jesus was a political threat to Rome. A man claiming to be king could be charged with rebellion against Caesar. Barnes explains that this came after the accusers had charged Jesus with "perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar" (Luke 23:2-3). Gill adds that Pilate may have heard "from a rumour that was generally spread, that there was such a person," and that he acted "on account of Caesar, and lest he should be charged with dilatoriness."

Jesus first answered with a question: "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?" (John 18:34). After Pilate's reply, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). When Pilate pressed, "Art thou a king then?" Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born... that I should bear witness unto the truth" (John 18:37). In the other Gospels His answer is, "Thou sayest" (Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3).

"King of the Jews" was a dangerous title under Roman rule. The accusers later pressed this point: "whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar" (John 19:12). The same title appears at Jesus' birth, when the wise men asked, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2), and at His death, when Pilate wrote over the cross, "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19:19).

All four Gospels record Pilate asking this exact question (Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3; John 18:33). Only John records the private conversation that followed inside the hall.

Pilate asked a political question, but it reached the heart of who Jesus is. Jesus did not deny being a king. He explained what kind of King He is. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says His kingdom's nature "is not worldly; it is a kingdom within men, set up in their hearts and consciences." Barnes says the only power Christ's kingdom uses is that "produced by applying truth to the mind."

John's Gospel has already shown Jesus refusing a kingship taken by force (John 6:15) and being welcomed as "the King of Israel" (John 12:13). Here, standing bound before Rome, He is still the King, and the title Pilate wrote over His cross would say so (John 19:19).