The enemies of Jesus have accused Him before Pilate of being a threat to the Roman government by stirring the people up against Caesar and by proclaiming Himself a king. Pilate wants some direct testimony from Jesus. "'Are You the king of the Jews?' asked Pilate." (Mark 15:2a)
Jesus' answer is enigmatic. "'You have said so,' Jesus replied." (Mark 15:2b) Some translations render His reply as, "It is as you say." Pilate doesn't know what to make of such an answer but there's nothing about this peasant who has been beaten during the night by His own countrymen to make the Roman prefect feel threatened. Jesus certainly doesn't look very kingly at the moment or likely to mount a rebellion---after all, there aren't even any witnesses present to stand up for Him. If Jesus were a threat to Rome, surely His followers would be rioting and demanding His release.
The religious leaders can tell Pilate isn't impressed with their charges, so they make up more. "The chief priests accused Him of many things. So again Pilate asked Him, 'Aren't You going to answer? See how many things they are accusing You of.' But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed." (Mark 15:3-5) Pilate feels Jesus isn't being fairly represented. No one is objecting on His behalf, so Pilate urges Him to speak up for Himself, but Jesus remains silent. Pilate is amazed that Jesus isn't denying the charges brought against Him. He's amazed Jesus isn't groveling on the ground begging for clemency.
This situation smells fishy. Pilate wants nothing to do with it. The Apostle John tells us he says, "Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law." (John 18:31a) The Roman prefect says something like, "You've accused this man of blasphemy and of breaking various religious laws. What is that to me? What does Rome care about your customs or whether this man has offended them? Surely you must have your own laws regarding such violations. Judge Him according to those laws." But the intentions of Jesus' enemies become clear when they reply, "But we have no right to execute anyone." (John 18:31b) Up til now Pilate may not have been clear on exactly what these men want him to do to Jesus, but now he sees they intend to have Him put to death. Mark leaves out the fact that Pilate sends Jesus to Herod next, upon finding out Jesus is a Galilean, but Jesus refuses to answer Herod's questions as well. Enraged that Jesus would mock his authority by refusing to answer his questions or perform miracles in his presence, Herod allows his soldiers to dress Jesus in a purple robe and mock Him before sending Jesus back to Pilate. (Luke 23:5-12)
The Apostle John records a private conversation Pilate has with Jesus inside the palace. Perhaps Pilate thinks Jesus will feel free to speak outside of the presence of His accusers. Upon asking Jesus whether He claims to be the king of the Jews, Jesus wants to know, "'Is that your own idea,' Jesus asked, 'or did others talk to you about Me?'" (John 18:34) Jesus wants to know exactly what Pilate is asking. Is Pilate merely asking whether Jesus has been trying to incite a rebellion by proclaiming Himself a political king? Or has Pilate heard of the prophecies of the Messiah and of the credentials Jesus has presented to prove He is the Messiah? Is Pilate simply trying to get to the bottom of the accusations of the religious leaders, or deep in his heart does he want to know the truth?
Pilate's answer displays his low regard for the Jews. "'Am I a Jew?" (John 18:35a) Pilate asks, "Do I look like I understand or care about the religious myths of the Jews? Do you think Rome cares about ancient prophecies of some king who is to come? We have our own gods and kings! In fact, our gods and kings are stronger than those of the Jews, or else we wouldn't have been able to conquer the Jews."
Jesus admits to being a king, but not the type of king who threatens Rome. "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now My kingdom is from another place." (John 18:36) If Jesus had actually been going about the countryside proclaiming Himself the rightful king and heir to David's throne, He would have had thousands of supporters. If He had stirred up enmity against Rome and plotted a rebellion, many men would have taken swords in hand to fight to reclaim the nation. The day will come when Jesus rules the world from David's throne, but the time has not come as He stands before Pilate at Passover, so He says, "But now My kingdom is from another place." The kingdom that is first established is spiritual, a kingdom built of believers in the gospel.
Bible scholar John Gill sums verse 36 up like this, "The subjects of Christ's kingdom are not of the world, they are chosen and called out of it; the kingdom itself does not appear in worldly pomp and splendor, nor does it so much regard the outward, as in the inward estates of men; it promises no worldly emoluments, or temporal rewards. Christ does not say it is not in this world, but it is not of it; and therefore will not fail, when this world does, and the kingdoms thereof."
Pilate doesn't feel threatened by a king who isn't interested in Caesar's throne or a kingdom that is spiritual rather than literal. He goes back out and tells Jesus' accusers, "I find no basis for a charge against Him." (John 18:38b) Luke adds these remarks Pilate makes to the religious leaders, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death." (Luke 23:14-15)
Even unrighteous men like Pilate and Herod concluded Jesus had done nothing to deserve death. But we have done many things to deserve death and so He went to the death on our behalf and for our sins. As the Apostle Paul so beautifully explains it, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)
God loved us when we were unlovable and so Christ gave Himself for us while we were yet sinners, while we were wandering like lost sheep far from the Lord, while we were trapped by the snares of this world. He thought we were worth any price, and the highest price He could pay was His own perfect and spotless life. We deserved death. We deserved hell. But Christ, who had no one to stand up for Him at His trial, stood up for us and said, "I love them too much to let this happen! I will be their Defender! I will be their Redeemer!"
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