Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Mark 14:60-61 (NIVUK)
The proverb says, “Speech is silver, but silence is golden.” Jesus spoke very little throughout the timeline of trials leading up to his crucifixion. The vast majority of the accusations, questions, and lies of his persecutors were met by Jesus’ silence. One of the clearest examples of Jesus staying silent was when he was before Herod.
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. Luke 23:8-9 (ESV)
Before the high priest we are told:
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Mark 14:60-61 (NIVUK)
During the trial before Pilate, Matthew tells us:
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge – to the great amazement of the governor.” Matthew 27:12-14 (NIV)
So again Pilate asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.’ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:4-5 (NIVUK)
Over and over again the Bible records the silence of God’s Lamb in the presence of His accusers. This is amazing, especially since the witnesses that were hurling charges against Jesus were giving false testimony. There is much He could have said in His defence. He could have undressed their arguments and addressed His situation with righteous rhetoric. Yet the same Lord of whom it was earlier said, “No one has ever spoken like this man,” remained silent. Oswald Sanders writes in the book, The Incomparable Christ:
Both by His silence and His words, Jesus made clear that it was Pilate and the Jews who were on trial before Him, and not He before them.
He had at heart God’s greater plan.
Peter stated:
When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but (here’s the reason) continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)
By not lashing out against His accusers, Jesus was saying, my life is not in your hands, my life is in God’s hands. It’s all about His plan. The prophet Isaiah had written of Him many years before:
He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)
It was necessary that He suffer and die for our redemption. Let’s appreciate not only His speech but His silence.