Matthew 27:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he answered {G3756}{G611} him {G846} to {G4314} never {G3761} a {G1520} word {G4487}; insomuch {G5620} that the governor {G2232} marvelled {G2296} greatly {G3029}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But to the governor's great amazement, he did not say a single word in reply to the accusations.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

American Standard Version

And he gave him no answer, not even to one word: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:14 captures a profoundly significant moment during Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. In the face of numerous and vehement accusations from the chief priests and elders, Jesus maintained a complete and unwavering silence, offering no defense whatsoever. This extraordinary composure and refusal to speak so astonished Pilate that it elicited a deep sense of marvel from the seasoned Roman authority, highlighting the unique and unparalleled nature of Jesus' character and mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic Passion Narrative in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' unjust condemnation by the Sanhedrin and His delivery to Pontius Pilate, as detailed in [Matthew 27:1-2](/matthew/27-1-2 "Matthew 27:1-2 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate"). The chief priests and elders, having failed to secure a death sentence under Jewish law, brought Jesus before the Roman governor, presenting many accusations against Him ([Matthew 27:12](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12 - Accusations Against Jesus")). Pilate, sensing the underlying malice or perhaps the political motivations of the accusers, directly questioned Jesus about the charges, particularly concerning His claim to be "King of the Jews" ([Matthew 27:11](/matthew/27-11 "Matthew 27:11 - Pilate Questions Jesus")). It is in response to these direct questions and the clamor of the accusers that Jesus' profound silence in [Matthew 27:14](/matthew/27-14 "Matthew 27:14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate") stands out as a stark and deliberate act, setting the stage for Pilate's subsequent attempts to release Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The trial of Jesus before Pilate took place within the framework of Roman provincial governance and judicial practice. As the Roman governor (procurator) of Judea, Pilate held ultimate authority, including the power of capital punishment. Roman trials typically involved defendants vigorously defending themselves against accusations, as silence could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Furthermore, Pilate's primary concern was maintaining Roman order and preventing unrest, especially during the volatile Passover festival. The Jewish leaders, unable to execute Jesus themselves, sought Roman sanction for His death, presenting Him as a political threat to Caesar. Jesus' quiet dignity and refusal to engage in the expected legal defense would have been utterly alien to Pilate's experience with criminals and political agitators, making His silence all the more remarkable and perplexing to the Roman mind.

* **Key Themes:** Jesus' silence in [Matthew 27:14](/matthew/27-14 "Matthew 27:14 - Jesus' Silence Before Pilate") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' Deliberate Submission and Sovereignty**. His silence is not a sign of weakness or inability to defend Himself, but a profound act of obedience to the Father's will, demonstrating His sovereign control even in His apparent vulnerability. Secondly, it is a striking **Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy**, particularly the Suffering Servant passages in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). The prophet declared, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")). Jesus' silence thus portrays Him as the innocent Lamb of God, willingly offering Himself for the sins of the world. Thirdly, **Pilate's Astonishment** highlights the unique and divine nature of Jesus. Pilate, a pragmatic Roman official, was deeply perplexed by a prisoner who defied all expectations of self-preservation, testifying to Jesus' singular character and inner peace in the face of extreme injustice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai'_):** G611. While this word typically means "to respond" or "to answer," its use here in conjunction with a strong negative ("to never a word") emphasizes the *absence* of any verbal reply. It highlights Jesus' deliberate choice not to engage in a defense, despite the expectation that He would. This is not a failure to answer, but a purposeful non-answer.
* **never a word (Greek, _oudé heîs rhēma'_):** G3761 (oudé) + G1520 (heîs) + G4487 (rhēma). This phrase literally translates to "not even one word." The combination of *oudé* (not even, neither, nor) with *heîs* (one) and *rhēma* (word, utterance) creates a powerful and absolute negation. It conveys the complete and utter silence of Jesus, leaving no room for ambiguity. He did not utter a single sound in His defense.
* **marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** G2296. This verb signifies a deep sense of wonder, astonishment, or even awe. It goes beyond mere surprise, indicating that Pilate was profoundly perplexed and taken aback by Jesus' unexpected and uncharacteristic lack of response. The addition of *lían* (G3029, greatly, exceedingly) intensifies this marvel, indicating an extraordinary level of bewilderment and admiration from the governor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answered him to never a word":** This clause describes Jesus' profound and deliberate silence in the face of Pilate's direct questioning and the numerous accusations leveled against Him by the Jewish leaders. Despite the gravity of the situation and the typical expectation for a defendant to speak in their own defense, Jesus chose to remain utterly silent. This silence was not born of fear or inability, but was a purposeful act, demonstrating His submission to the Father's will and His unwavering resolve to fulfill His mission as the Suffering Servant.
* **"insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly":** This clause highlights the profound impact of Jesus' silence on Pontius Pilate. The governor, accustomed to the clamor of defendants and accusers in Roman courts, was utterly astonished by Jesus' quiet dignity and refusal to speak. His "great marvel" (Greek: *ethaumasen lían*) signifies a deep sense of wonder, perplexity, and perhaps even a dawning recognition of Jesus' unique and extraordinary character, setting Him apart from any prisoner Pilate had ever encountered. This astonishment underscores the supernatural composure and divine nature of Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew employs several **literary devices** in this verse to emphasize the profound significance of Jesus' silence. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as Jesus' absolute silence stands in stark opposition to the clamor of His accusers and Pilate's persistent questioning. This contrast highlights Jesus' unique character and sovereign control, refusing to engage in human arguments. There is also a strong element of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus' silence directly echoes the imagery of the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence"), portraying Him as the innocent Lamb led to slaughter. The phrase "never a word" serves as a form of **Emphasis** or even **Hyperbole**, underscoring the completeness of Jesus' silence. Finally, Pilate's "great marvel" introduces a subtle **Irony**, as the powerful Roman governor is left utterly bewildered by the seemingly powerless prisoner, whose composure and lack of self-defense defy all worldly expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' profound silence before Pilate is a powerful theological statement, revealing His divine nature and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive mission. It is not an act of weakness or resignation, but rather an expression of sovereign control and deliberate submission to the Father's will. By refusing to defend Himself, Jesus demonstrated that His kingdom was not of this world, and His authority transcended human courts and political machinations. His silence speaks volumes, testifying to His innocence, His willingness to bear the world's sin without protest, and His perfect trust in God's ultimate plan. It underscores the unique nature of His kingship—one established not by force or legal argument, but by sacrificial love and humble obedience, ultimately leading to the salvation of humanity.

* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")
* [Psalm 38:13-14](/psalms/38-13-14 "Psalm 38:13-14 - A Prayer of One Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' silence in Matthew 27:14 offers profound and counter-cultural lessons for believers today. In a world that often demands immediate self-defense, public justification, and the last word, Jesus demonstrates the quiet power of restraint and trust in divine sovereignty. His example teaches us that there are times when silence, rather than a verbal defense, is the most potent response, particularly when facing false accusations or injustice. It calls us to cultivate a profound trust in God's ultimate plan and His ability to vindicate, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. By maintaining His dignity and focus on His divine mission, Jesus refused to be drawn into futile arguments or to defend Himself against baseless charges. This challenges us to respond with grace and composure, allowing our character and God's truth to speak for themselves, trusting that God will ultimately judge righteously and that His purposes will prevail, even through our suffering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When might silence be a more powerful response than words in your own life?**
* **How does Jesus' example of trusting God's sovereignty challenge your natural inclination to defend yourself?**
* **In what situations do you find it most difficult to remain silent or to trust God with your vindication?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus remain silent before Pilate?**

Answer: Jesus' silence before Pilate was a deliberate and multifaceted act, not born of fear or inability to defend Himself. Theologically, it was a profound act of submission to His Father's will, demonstrating His willingness to endure suffering and death as the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins. His silence also fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, particularly those concerning the Suffering Servant in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence"), who would go "like a lamb to the slaughter" without opening His mouth. Furthermore, His silence underscored the spiritual nature of His kingdom, which was not of this world and therefore did not require a worldly defense ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). It was a powerful, non-verbal testimony to His innocence and His sovereign control over the entire Passion narrative.

**What does Pilate's 'great marvel' signify?**

Answer: Pilate's "great marvel" (Greek: *ethaumasen lían*) signifies his profound astonishment and bewilderment at Jesus' complete silence. As a Roman governor, Pilate was accustomed to defendants vehemently pleading their cases, especially when facing capital charges. Jesus' calm, dignified refusal to speak, despite the dire circumstances and the clamor of His accusers, was utterly unprecedented in Pilate's experience. This reaction highlights Jesus' unique character, His inner peace, and His supernatural composure, which defied all human expectations. It suggests that Pilate perceived something extraordinary and inexplicable about Jesus, contributing to his subsequent attempts to release Him and his declaration of Jesus' innocence ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands")).

**How does Jesus' silence apply to believers today?**

Answer: Jesus' silence offers profound lessons for believers. It teaches us the power of dignified restraint and trust in God's sovereignty when facing injustice or false accusations. Rather than always feeling compelled to defend ourselves, Jesus' example encourages us to commit our cause to God, who judges righteously ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")). It reminds us that sometimes, silence can be a more powerful witness than words, demonstrating humility, patience, and a reliance on God's ultimate vindication. It calls us to prioritize God's will and eternal purposes over our immediate desire for self-preservation or worldly justification, trusting that God will work all things for good for those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus' profound silence before Pilate is a pivotal moment in the Christ-centered narrative of redemption, embodying His ultimate fulfillment as the Suffering Servant and the Lamb of God. His refusal to speak was not a sign of weakness, but a powerful demonstration of His sovereign will to lay down His life for the salvation of humanity. Just as [John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world"](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), His silence before His accusers perfectly mirrored the prophetic image of a lamb led to slaughter, as foretold in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence"). This deliberate non-defense was an essential step in His atoning work, where He, though innocent, willingly accepted the judgment due to humanity. His silence ultimately paved the way for His crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation, transforming a moment of apparent defeat into the very means of victory over sin and death, thereby establishing His eternal reign as the Lord of all ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him, becoming the author and perfecter of our faith ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Psalms 71:7

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou [art] my strong refuge.

1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Zechariah 3:8

¶ Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.