Mark 15:2 Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is as you say.”

What is the first question that Pilate asks Jesus?

“Are You the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15:2)

• ὁ βασιλεὺς (ho basileus) (“the King”) Predicate Noun 
• “Predicate nouns as a rule are anarthrous. Nevertheless the article is inserted if the predicate noun is presented as something well known or as that which alone merits the designation (the only thing to be considered)” (Friedrich Blass, Albert Debrunner, and Robert W. Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, p. 143).

• Which tribe of Israel is promised the scepter?  
• “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Gen 49:10).

• What messianic prophecy foretells the coming of a star from Jacob and the rising of a scepter from Israel? 
• “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth” (Num 24:17).

• What is promised to the house of David, of the tribe of Judah, in the Davidic Covenant? 
• “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

•  From whom does Jesus descend in the flesh? 
• “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1).

•  When wise men from the east arrive in Jerusalem following the birth of Jesus, what do they ask when seeking His whereabouts? 
• “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matt 2:1-2).

•  How does Jesus identify Himself in Revelation 22:16? 
• “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev 22:16).

 How does He answer when he asks, "Are You the King of the Jews?"

“It is as you say” (Mark 15:2).

Father,

You are the One Mighty King, and You have established Your Son as Your Anointed King over Your eternal kingdom. His reign will never end. He will reign in perfect wisdom and righteousness, and rule with a rod of iron. Blessed are all who take refuge in Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.