What does Matthew 27:11 mean?

After describing the end of Judas' tragic story (Matthew 27:3–10), Matthew returns to Jesus. He is standing before the Roman governor Pilate. Early in the morning, some of the chief priests brought Jesus, bound, to Pilate's headquarters in Jerusalem. They will not enter, so Pilate comes out to see what they want. He asks what accusation they have against Jesus and why they don't judge Him according to their own Jewish law. They respond that Roman law will not allow them to put Jesus to death (John 18:28–32).

They tell Pilate, falsely, that Jesus has been misleading the Israelites and forbidding them from paying taxes to Caesar. They add that Jesus has been proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a king (Luke 23:2). The religious leaders are trying to come up with accusations that will convince Pilate that Jesus is a danger to Rome. One example is the issue of paying taxes. Jesus had famously replied to a trick question by saying the people should give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, referring specifically to money (Matthew 22:15–22).

Jesus' enemies are closer to the truth in saying that He claims to be a king. He has stated that He is the Messiah. Jesus, though, has no interest in taking the throne of Israel or overthrowing the Romans. Matthew picks up the story as Pilate turns to Jesus and asks about this issue. Jesus gives the same answer He gave to the high priest: the equivalent of "you are the one who said it." His answer clearly means yes, though there's more to be said than what Jesus offers. John notes that Jesus' answer made it clear He was not seeking a political overthrow of Rome (John 18:36).

Paul referred to this as a significant moment of revelation. He called this Jesus' "good confession" before Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13), a moment Jesus revealed His identity to the Gentiles.