Jesus did not directly answer this question. He knew that the Holy 727 Spirit was striving with Pilate, and He gave him opportunity to acknowledge his conviction. "Sayest thou this thing of thyself," He asked, "or did others tell it thee of Me?" That is, was it the accusations of the priests, or a desire to receive light from Christ, that prompted Pilate's question? Pilate understood Christ's meaning; but pride arose in his heart. He would not acknowledge the conviction that pressed upon him. "Am I a Jew?" he said. "Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done?"

Jesus besvarede ikke spørgsmålet direkte. Han vidste, at Helligånden stred med Pilatus, og han gav ham en mulighed for at erkende sin overbevisning. "Spørger du sådan af dig selv," spurgte han, "eller har andre sagt dig det om mig" Det ville sige: var det præsternes beskyldninger eller ønsket om at modtage lyset fra Kristus, der tilskyndende Pilatus til at stille dette spørgsmål Pilatus forstod, hvad Jesus mente; men stoltheden dukkede op i hans sind. Han ville ikke indrømme, hvilken overbevisning der trængte sig frem i ham. "Er jeg måske en jøde" sagde han. "Dit folk og ypperstepræsterne har overgivet dig til mig; hvad har du gjort"