Bible Strands
Mark 15:5
But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Pilate questions Jesus about the formal charges, and Jesus responds to the Roman governor with complete silence. This occurs during the trial proceedings immediately following Pilate’s demand for a defense and preceding the Passover prisoner release custom.
The words — The Greek phrase οὐκὲτι ἀπεκρίθη (ouketi apekrithē) literally means "answered no longer" or "ceased answering." It marks a definitive textual shift from the prior dialogue to absolute silence.
The thread — This silence directly parallels the suffering servant who "did not open His mouth" while oppressed (Isaiah 53:7). It also corresponds to the psalmist’s description of becoming a "portent to many" while trusting God as his refuge (Psalms 71:7).
Why it lands — The text records Jesus voluntarily withholding a defense despite Pilate’s shock and the official accusations. It requires the reader to accept the silence as the factual conclusion to the trial rather than a tactical delay.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 53:7 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 her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Zechariah 3:8 Hear now, O high priest Joshua, you and your companions seated before you, who are indeed a sign. For behold, I am going to bring My servant, the Branch.
- Psalms 71:7 I have become a portent to many, but You are my strong refuge.
- Matthew 27:14 But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.
- 1 Corinthians 4:9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
- Isaiah 8:18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
- John 19:9 and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked. But Jesus gave no answer.