And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
The words were spoken during the trial before the Sanhedrin, when the priests and judges pressed close around Him asking whether He was the Christ. That council condemned Him, but it could not carry out the execution without confirmation from Pilate. When He was brought before Pilate, the accusers' testimonies contradicted one another and had no value, and Pilate declared Him faultless.
He knew that telling them plainly would not make them believe Him, even if He declared Himself the Christ. He knew that if He put questions to them, they would not give an honest answer. He knew they would not let Him go or release Him. Their refusal to listen and respond fairly exposed that their inquiry was not a sincere search for truth but an unjust effort to secure His condemnation. Their determination to condemn Him left no opening for truthful exchange or justice and made a fair trial impossible.
He answered them calmly despite their hypocrisy. He could have traced the prophecies to prove that what was predicted about the Messiah was then being fulfilled, and could have pointed to His mighty miracles and silenced them. But their hearts were set against the light of heaven so no further evidence or power could make them believe. Their treatment of Him displayed enmity against Christ and those who serve God, driven by envy, jealousy, and religious bigotry.
The words were spoken during the trial before the Sanhedrin, when the priests and judges pressed close around Him asking whether He was the Christ. That council condemned Him, but it could not carry out the execution without confirmation from Pilate. When He was brought before Pilate, the accusers' testimonies contradicted one another and had no value, and Pilate declared Him faultless.
He knew that telling them plainly would not make them believe Him, even if He declared Himself the Christ. He knew that if He put questions to them, they would not give an honest answer. He knew they would not let Him go or release Him. Their refusal to listen and respond fairly exposed that their inquiry was not a sincere search for truth but an unjust effort to secure His condemnation. Their determination to condemn Him left no opening for truthful exchange or justice and made a fair trial impossible.
He answered them calmly despite their hypocrisy. He could have traced the prophecies to prove that what was predicted about the Messiah was then being fulfilled, and could have pointed to His mighty miracles and silenced them. But their hearts were set against the light of heaven so no further evidence or power could make them believe. Their treatment of Him displayed enmity against Christ and those who serve God, driven by envy, jealousy, and religious bigotry.