Jesus had done nothing wrong.  Pilate did not first ask Him about His supposed crime, but His identity.  In asking if He was the king of the Jews, Pilate might elicit self-confessed treason.  Jesus replied, interrogating Pilate if he believed that He was the King of Israel, or if he was simply parroting the Jewish leaders.  Pilate appeared to refuse to get involved in theology and went back to the legal reason for His arrest.  But it was the only legal charge he could make over a 100% righteous person, and, when he was crucified, he ordered that “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” was nailed to His cross (Matthew 27:37).

Pilate was in a difficult position.  He had been pressured to execute a man without charging him with any crime.  So he asked Jesus to write out His own charge sheet!  The list would have been very long – not of His crimes, but of our sins (Romans 4:25).  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).

Instead, Jesus admitted to having a kingdom, but not occupying any territory of this world.  If that was so, then His servants would have prevented His arrest.  No.  The language He used was clear – His kingdom had already been established.  He had no need to become the king of the Jews because He was already God’s anointed (that is what ‘Messiah’ and ‘Christ’ means) King (Luke 2:11).  That means He was not authorised by human beings to rule over a particular country.  He was authorised by Father God to rule over the hearts of every person.  So, He was King over all the Jews and also over Pilate and every other Gentile too.  Jesus was not answerable to them; they were accountable to Him.
 
That is still true.  Every person on earth has to give an account to Jesus (Romans 14:9-12).  Although many may think that they can accuse, blame, abuse and ignore Jesus, they are wrong.  We cannot choose our Eternal King.  He is appointed over everybody; and His Name is Jesus.  That is why millions of believers, who are troubled about the eternal fate of their friends and colleagues, want to present the gospel to them.  Let them know the facts by encouraging them to watch www.crosscheck.org.uk and discussing it with them.  Jesus the King knows their identity; make sure you let them know how to discover Jesus while there is time.