Mark 15:4
And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
4 of 14
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἀποκρίνῃ
Answerest thou
G611
ἀποκρίνῃ
Answerest thou
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
9 of 14
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
οὐδέν
G3762
οὐδέν
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
10 of 14
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἴδε
G1492
ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
11 of 14
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Historical Context
Pilate's confusion is historically credible. Roman jurisprudence valued rhetoric and legal argumentation. The governor had likely never encountered a defendant who simply refused to engage with the legal process. Pilate's later actions—offering to release Jesus (v. 9), declaring 'I find no fault in him' (John 19:6), washing his hands (Matthew 27:24)—all suggest he recognized the trial as a miscarriage of justice but lacked courage to resist.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Pilate seem to want Jesus to defend Himself against the accusations?
- How does Jesus's continued silence demonstrate His sovereignty over the situation rather than victimhood?
- What does Pilate's perplexity teach about worldly power confronting divine purpose?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? (ὁ δὲ Πιλᾶτος πάλιν ἐπηρώτα αὐτὸν λέγων, Οὐκ ἀποκρίνῃ οὐδέν; ho de Pilatos palin epērōta auton legōn, Ouk apokrinē ouden?)—Pilate's repeated questioning (πάλιν, palin, 'again') shows his perplexity. The double negative (οὐκ...οὐδέν, ouk...ouden) intensifies: 'Aren't you answering anything at all?' Roman governors expected defendants to protest innocence, offer explanations, or plead for mercy.
Behold how many things they witness against thee (ἴδε πόσα σου κατηγοροῦσιν, ide posa sou katēgorousin)—The imperative ἴδε (ide, 'see, look') urges Jesus to recognize the seriousness. The interrogative πόσα (posa, 'how many') emphasizes the volume of accusations. Pilate seems almost to be coaching Jesus toward self-defense, suggesting the governor suspected the charges were false. Yet Jesus's silence spoke louder than any defense—He had come 'to give his life a ransom for many' (10:45), not to escape death.