The Silence of Jesus

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so that the governor was quite amazed. (Matt. 27:12-14)The second element in this account that demonstrates the perfection and innocence of Christ was His own attitude. To Pilate’s consternation, Jesus made no answer to the intensified accusations of the chief priests and elders.The Jewish leaders had already rendered their predetermined verdict of guilty, and the governor his verdict of not guilty, declaring, “I find no guilt in Him” (John 18:38). He knew that the original charges against Jesus not only were religious rather than political but were spurious and made out of envy. He also knew that the charges they had just made regarding insurrection, not paying taxes, and claiming to be a king were manufactured solely for his benefit, in order to give a political basis for judgment against Him. . . .