Matthew 27:12
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατηγορεῖσθαι
he was accused
G2723
κατηγορεῖσθαι
he was accused
Strong's:
G2723
Word #:
4 of 13
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
αὐτὸν
G846
αὐτὸν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 13
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
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
6 of 13
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
8 of 13
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβυτέρων
elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
11 of 13
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
Cross References
Matthew 26:63But 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 53:7He 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.
Historical Context
Roman legal procedure allowed the accused to defend themselves (defensio). Silence was unusual and typically interpreted as guilt, yet Pilate found no fault. The chief priests needed Roman execution since they lacked authority under occupation.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you felt called to remain silent in the face of false accusations, trusting God's vindication?
- How does Jesus's voluntary silence contrast with our tendency to self-justify and defend our reputation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing (κατηγορεῖτο... οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο)—Jesus's silence fulfilled Isaiah 53:7: 'as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.' The Greek kategoreo (to accuse) is legal terminology; Christ faced formal prosecution.
This was not passive weakness but sovereign self-control. Jesus had defended Himself before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:64); His silence before Pilate demonstrated He went to the cross willingly, not as a victim but as the appointed sacrifice who 'gave himself' (Galatians 1:4).