Jesus says "You have said so." in Scripture.. what does this mean?

[Holly3278]

And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”
(Mark 15:1-2 RSV)

This is only one of the examples in the Bible where Jesus says “You have said so.” Well, I must admit, I don’t know exactly what this means. I understand that it is an affirmation of Pilate’s question. However, what exactly would this have meant during Biblical times? Can someone please enlighten me further on this phrase that Jesus said during His passion?

 

[kch86]

However, what exactly would this have meant during Biblical times? Can someone please enlighten me further on this phrase that Jesus said during His passion?

I can’t give you an answer, but I’ve noticed some things comparing the different Biblical translations:

King James Version
And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

In this version, it looks like Jesus was talking not to Pilate but to the Jews.

Douay Rheims
And Pilate asked him: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, saith to him: Thou sayest it.

In this version, it looks like Jesus was talking to Pilate directly.

Maybe it could have been translated either way from the original language.

Perhaps in modern, casual language, it might have been the equivalent of saying, “You said so yourself,” (which we, as modern English speakers would understand as “Yes, I am, and it’s even you who’s said it”) but I don’t know what was written in the original language, so I can’t say for certain.

It does seem to be an affirmative “yes” response, but with something else that is implied, and I can’t be sure what that something else is.

 

[bogeydogg]

Think of it as, “You said it not me.”

He is affirming His own person by other people’s accidental confessions.

God Bless

 

[ahs]

Great question! I wonder about this quote as well. I like bogeydogg’s explanation of it, but I’d like to know if anyone familiar with that culture and language can help clarify. I don’t recall if I’ve ever heard a Priest dicuss this…unless it just got mixed into the overall Homily.

 

[Holly3278]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the answers. I’d like to hear more on this though.

 

[Mintaka]

That part of Mark 15:2 is literally:

Answering, He speaks to the same [masculine singular person], “You [second person singular] say/argue [that].”

“Su legeis.”

It comes up a lot in phrases where Jesus (or somebody else) says, “You say X and Y” or “Do you say Z?” The Gospel of John uses it a lot.

 

[ahs]

That part of Mark 15:2 is literally:

Answering, He speaks to the same [masculine singular person], “You [second person singular] say/argue [that].”

“Su legeis.”

It comes up a lot in phrases where Jesus (or somebody else) says, “You say X and Y” or “Do you say Z?” The Gospel of John uses it a lot.

“legeis”…is that the root for allege? In other words, is Jesus telling Pilot that He acknowledges that this is the “crime” He is being accused of?

 

[ryanoneil]

They were using the title “King of the Jew” politically. Then Jesus would have to be charged with sedition and put to death by the Romans. My guess is, Jesus used that phrase because he wasn’t claiming political kingship (they were). Instead, Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

 

[JonathonofOhio]

They were using the title “King of the Jew” politically. Then Jesus would have to be charged with sedition and put to death by the Romans. My guess is, Jesus used that phrase because he wasn’t claiming political kingship (they were). Instead, Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Leegal]

“You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mt. 26:64).

He was alluding to the prophecy (dream) in the book of Daniel. Specifically Dan. 7:13 where 4 beasts come to devour the people – each beast representing 4 kingdoms that had oppressed the Jews. When the beasts are destroyed, in Daniel’s dream, the son of Man is taken up to sit at the right hand of the throne of God.

He was answering from prophecy.

cuf.org/Laywitness/Online_view.asp?lwID=766