Matthew 27:12

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

And {G2532} when {G1722} he {G846} was accused {G2723} of {G5259} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} elders {G4245}, he answered {G611} nothing {G3762}.

But when he was accused by the head cohanim and elders, he gave no answer.

And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.

And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Commentary

Matthew 27:12 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment during the trial of Jesus Christ before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea. After being brought before Pilate by the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus faces a barrage of accusations but chooses to remain silent.

Context

This verse follows Jesus' condemnation by the Jewish Sanhedrin and His subsequent delivery to Pontius Pilate. The chief priests and elders, having found Jesus guilty of blasphemy in their own court, lacked the authority to carry out a death sentence under Roman rule. Therefore, they brought Him to Pilate, presenting a series of political charges—such as claiming to be King of the Jews and forbidding tribute to Caesar—in an attempt to secure His execution. The atmosphere was charged with tension as these powerful Jewish leaders relentlessly pressed their case against Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Deliberate Silence and Sovereignty: Jesus' refusal to answer was not a sign of fear or an inability to defend Himself. Instead, it was a deliberate and powerful act, demonstrating His sovereignty over the situation. His silence spoke volumes, confounding His accusers and even surprising Pilate (John 19:10).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' silence directly fulfills the ancient prophecy of the suffering servant found in Isaiah 53:7, which declares, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." This profound act underscored His messianic identity and His willingness to endure injustice for the redemption of humanity.
  • Injustice and False Accusation: The verse vividly portrays the profound injustice of Jesus' trial. Despite the fervent and numerous accusations from the chief priests and elders, Jesus offered no defense, highlighting the baselessness and malicious intent behind their charges. His silence exposed the corruption of the proceedings.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "answered nothing" is a direct and powerful translation of the Greek, emphasizing Jesus' complete lack of verbal response. The verb for "accused" (Greek: katēgoreō - κατηγορέω) implies a formal, legal charge, highlighting the gravity of the fabricated allegations being leveled against Him. This stark contrast between vehement accusation and absolute silence is central to understanding the verse's impact.

Reflection

Jesus' silence in Matthew 27:12 offers profound lessons for believers today. It teaches us about patient endurance in the face of unjust suffering and false accusations, and the power of trusting God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly against us. His silence was not weakness, but a profound demonstration of strength, humility, and His unwavering commitment to the Father's will for the salvation of mankind. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the world's rejection of truth when confronted by it.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:63

    But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

  • Isaiah 53:7

    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

  • 1 Peter 2:23

    Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

  • Matthew 27:14

    And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

  • John 19:9

    And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

  • John 19:11

    Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

  • Mark 15:3

    And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
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