Mark 15:5
But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 10
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
οὐδὲν
nothing
G3762
οὐδὲν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
5 of 10
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
6 of 10
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὥστε
so
G5620
ὥστε
so
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
7 of 10
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
Cross References
Isaiah 53:7He 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.Zechariah 3:8Hear 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.Psalms 71:7I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.1 Corinthians 4:9For 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.Matthew 27:14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Historical Context
Pilate's amazement is psychologically and historically credible. Roman histories (Tacitus, Josephus) portray Pilate as harsh and expedient, not given to sentimentality. His amazement suggests Jesus's demeanor was extraordinary—neither cowering fear nor arrogant defiance, but regal composure. This silence also protected Jesus's followers; had He elaborated on His kingdom or named disciples, Rome might have moved against the nascent church. His silence was strategic as well as prophetic.
Questions for Reflection
- What did Pilate see in Jesus that caused a hardened Roman governor to marvel?
- How does Jesus's silence protect His disciples while fulfilling His mission to die?
- Why is Jesus's silence before false accusations more powerful than any verbal defense could have been?
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Analysis & Commentary
But Jesus yet answered nothing (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς οὐκέτι οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίθη, ho de Iēsous ouketi ouden apekrithē)—The emphatic οὐκέτι (ouketi, 'no longer, still not') combined with οὐδέν (ouden, 'nothing') stresses Jesus's resolute silence. This wasn't passive victimhood but active fulfillment of prophecy. So that Pilate marvelled (ὥστε θαυμάζειν τὸν Πιλᾶτον, hōste thaumazein ton Pilaton)—The verb θαυμάζω (thaumazō) means to wonder, be amazed, marvel.
The Roman governor—accustomed to desperate pleas, eloquent defenses, or defiant speeches—encountered something unprecedented: divine silence. The construction ὥστε (hōste, 'so that') indicates result—Jesus's silence produced Pilate's amazement. Throughout the Gospels, people marvel at Jesus's teaching (1:22), authority (2:12), and miracles (5:20), but here Pilate marvels at His silence. The King who spoke worlds into existence now saves the world through silence.