Jesus Accused by Chief Priests and ScribesBible World
15:3Mark 15:3
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
This moment belongs to the trial and condemnation of Jesus, part of the humiliation and ordeal He knew awaited Him. In open court, with Jesus standing behind Pilate in view of all, the chief priests together with scribes, rulers, and the mob brought many false, fabricated charges that could not be substantiated and loudly demanded His death. They wanted Pilate to ratify their sentence without a public examination, rehearsing invented accusations against Him. To none of these many accusations did He make any reply, but He answered nothing and remained silent.
His silence was calm, self-possessed, serene, and passively enduring amid the accusations and uproar. Unmoved amid fury, like ocean waves beating about Him without touching Him, He bore insult and mockery without retaliation. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence, and His silence was eloquence, like a light shining from the inner to the outer man. That calm silence astonished and perplexed Pilate and deepened Pilate's respect, for he saw no sign of sedition in Jesus and distrusted the accusations. He judged Jesus could not be as unrighteous and unjust as the clamoring priests, and wondered whether Jesus disregarded the proceedings from indifference to saving His life. His silent endurance under false charges and indignity also inwardly convicted Herod and left him afraid to ratify the condemnation. The disciples had been prepared beforehand for the crowd's rejection and the insults and reviling against their Master at His condemnation, so they would not be wholly overwhelmed by it.
This moment belongs to the trial and condemnation of Jesus, part of the humiliation and ordeal He knew awaited Him. In open court, with Jesus standing behind Pilate in view of all, the chief priests together with scribes, rulers, and the mob brought many false, fabricated charges that could not be substantiated and loudly demanded His death. They wanted Pilate to ratify their sentence without a public examination, rehearsing invented accusations against Him. To none of these many accusations did He make any reply, but He answered nothing and remained silent.
His silence was calm, self-possessed, serene, and passively enduring amid the accusations and uproar. Unmoved amid fury, like ocean waves beating about Him without touching Him, He bore insult and mockery without retaliation. His whole bearing gave evidence of conscious innocence, and His silence was eloquence, like a light shining from the inner to the outer man. That calm silence astonished and perplexed Pilate and deepened Pilate's respect, for he saw no sign of sedition in Jesus and distrusted the accusations. He judged Jesus could not be as unrighteous and unjust as the clamoring priests, and wondered whether Jesus disregarded the proceedings from indifference to saving His life. His silent endurance under false charges and indignity also inwardly convicted Herod and left him afraid to ratify the condemnation. The disciples had been prepared beforehand for the crowd's rejection and the insults and reviling against their Master at His condemnation, so they would not be wholly overwhelmed by it.