11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Read Matthew 27:11-14 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
While other gospel writers go into more detail describing Jesus’ interaction with Pilate, Matthew and Mark both share a phrase that I find fascinating. This phrase, while short, speaks volumes to what ended up happening that Passover weekend.
When Jesus was brought before Pilate, and the Jewish leaders wanted swift judgment, they started giving all their accusations against Jesus. In the face of all the accusations the Jewish leaders brought, here is how Matthew describes Jesus’ reaction: “When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.” (v. 12)
This is very interesting in my mind. Jesus simply stays silent. Jesus gives no reaction to either validate or deny the charges that the leaders are bringing against Him. This case was probably the only case that was ever brought before Pilate where the accused person gave no response to the charges. This also catches Pilate’s attention. In the next verse, Pilate asks Jesus, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” (v. 13)
But here is the really fascinating part of this entire event. “But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.” (v. 14)
Jesus essentially acts like a deaf person; He remained silent even to the big question Pilate gives Him.
This prompts me to ask the question: Did Jesus’ silence speak more for His innocence or His guilt?
In our minds, knowing the whole story, we might lean towards silence speaking towards innocence, but when your life is on the line, and you really are innocent, you don’t stay silent. Instead, you say things to validate your innocence and things that counter the charges against you. However, if you are guilty, there is no reason to say anything.
Jesus’ silence, while it doesn’t make Him guilty, may have prompted Pilate to think He was guilty.
So why does Jesus stay silent to the charges when He was innocent?
I believe that He did so because of you and me. Jesus took on the guilt of the human race when He did not deserve it, and while He was completely innocent of anything worthy of death, He chose the path that lead to death for you and me. That is God’s love, and that is Jesus’ silence speaking for you and me.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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