Mark 15 5

Mark 15:5 kjv

But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Mark 15:5 nkjv

But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Mark 15:5 niv

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Mark 15:5 esv

But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Mark 15:5 nlt

But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate's surprise.

Mark 15 verses

Mark 15 5 Meaning

Mark 15:5 details a pivotal moment during Jesus' trial before Pilate. Despite Pilate's direct questions regarding the numerous accusations brought against Him by the chief priests, Jesus maintained complete silence. This unprecedented silence from an accused prisoner utterly astonished Pilate, who was accustomed to fierce defenses or pleas for mercy. It reveals Jesus' intentional submission to His divine purpose and prophetic fulfillment, demonstrating a profound spiritual resolve that transcended the human courtroom drama.

Mark 15 5 Context

Mark 15:5 occurs within the account of Jesus' trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, a crucial phase in Jesus' passion narrative. The preceding verses (Mk 15:1-4) describe Jesus' being bound and delivered to Pilate by the chief priests and scribes after His Jewish trial. Pilate questions Jesus directly, asking "Are You the King of the Jews?" to which Jesus responds, "It is as you say" (Mk 15:2). The Jewish leaders then accuse Jesus vehemently with many charges (Mk 15:3). Pilate, aware of their envy and perhaps sensing the flimsy nature of their accusations, prompts Jesus to defend Himself against the mounting evidence (Mk 15:4). It is at this point that Mark 15:5 highlights Jesus' unexpected and profound silence, causing Pilate's astonishment. This moment sets the stage for Pilate's attempts to release Jesus (Mk 15:6-15) and his eventual surrender to the crowd's demand for crucifixion. The historical context includes the precarious relationship between Roman authorities and the Jewish populace, Pilate's characteristic pragmatism and ruthlessness, and the religious leaders' determination to have Jesus executed due to His claims and influence.

Mark 15 5 Word analysis

• But Jesus: (Greek: Ho de Iēsous) The "But" (de) introduces a contrast, setting Jesus' behavior apart from what was expected of an accused person and contrasting with the previous mention of Him being accused. It highlights His distinct and sovereign response. "Jesus" emphasizes His identity as the Christ, whose actions here are deliberate and divine.
• still answered: (Greek: oudepoteti apokritheis) The word oude ("not even," "nor yet") combined with pote ("ever," "at any time") intensifies the negative, emphasizing the complete absence of any answer. It's not just that He didn't answer; He still never answered despite repeated questioning and accusations. apokritheis is an aorist passive participle from apokrinomai, meaning "to answer" or "to reply." This implies a decision not to engage verbally in defense.
• nothing;: (Implied by oudepoteti) The emphatic Greek phrasing oudepoteti underscores the total and deliberate nature of His silence. It was not mere muteness but an active withholding of response, profound in its implications.
• so that: (Greek: hōste) This conjunction introduces a result clause, linking Jesus' silence directly to Pilate's reaction. It signifies that His silence was the cause of Pilate's marveling.
• Pilate marveled. (Greek: ho de Pilatos ethaumasen) "Pilate" is the Roman governor, representing worldly authority and power. "Marveled" (ethaumasen from thaumazō) indicates a deep sense of wonder, astonishment, or amazement. It wasn't simple curiosity but a profound perplexity or awe. For a Roman official to be so surprised by an accused Jew highlights the extraordinary nature of Jesus' composure and refusal to defend Himself, defying all expectations of a typical defendant.

Mark 15 5 Bonus section

• Jesus' silence can be seen as an expression of His profound awareness of His identity and purpose. He understood that earthly defenses were irrelevant to the spiritual outcome God intended.
• This specific instance of silence contrasts sharply with moments where Jesus did speak authoritatively, such as His direct answer to the high priest's question about His messianic identity (Mk 14:61-62). His selectivity in speaking highlights the divine intention behind both His words and His silences.
• Pilate's "marvel" underscores his limited human understanding facing a divine act. He could not comprehend such self-possession and submission from a man supposedly condemned to death. This reaction ironically validates Jesus' divine nature even in the eyes of His judge.
• The legal proceedings against Jesus were largely a mockery of justice. Jesus' silence could also be a dignified protest or refusal to validate a corrupt system with a defense.

Mark 15 5 Commentary

Jesus' silence in Mark 15:5 is an active and profound demonstration of His divine nature and ultimate control. It's not a silence born of fear, weakness, or inability to speak, but of deliberate submission to the Father's will and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, particularly Isaiah 53:7, portraying the Suffering Servant who is silent before His shearers. His non-response baffled Pilate, a man of worldly power, because it undermined every legal and psychological expectation of a trial. Accused individuals typically plead for mercy or vehemently defend themselves, yet Jesus chose a majestic, purposeful quietude. This silence served as a testimony to His perfect innocence, which confounded the governor, forcing him to question the true nature of the charges and the accusers' motives. It signifies Jesus' kingship not of this world, His unwavering commitment to His salvific mission, and His profound trust in God's redemptive plan unfolding through His very sacrifice. His silence, paradoxically, spoke volumes, testifying to a kingdom not reliant on human argumentation or earthly defense, but established through divine authority and redemptive suffering.