But
Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
Mark 15:5
Mark 15 [3.] The chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
Mark 15 [5.] But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
Mark 15 [6.] Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him. There was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them. Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead. Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
Meaning:
Pilate has urged Jesus, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!” (Mark 15:3-4). This short verse records Jesus’ response, which was no response at all, and the effect it had on the most powerful man in Judea.
- “But Jesus made no further answer”
Jesus had answered Pilate’s first question about his kingship, and he had answered the high priest’s question about being the Christ with the words “I am” (Mark 14:62). Once he had spoken the truth about himself, he said nothing more. He would not argue with false witnesses, plead for his life or try to bargain with the governor.
This silence was chosen, not forced. Jesus had told his disciples that the Son of Man was “being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again” (Mark 9:31). In Gethsemane he had prayed, “However, not what I desire, but what you desire” (Mark 14:36). Having accepted his Father’s will, he did not try to talk his way out of the cross.
- “so that Pilate marveled”
Pilate had seen many prisoners. Most protested their innocence, accused others or begged for mercy. Jesus did none of these things, and Pilate was amazed. Mark will use the same word again when Pilate marvels that Jesus has already died (Mark 15:42-45). Jesus did not fit any category Pilate knew.
Isaiah’s prophecy explains the scene: “He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The same prophet spoke of the Servant being “despised as one from whom men hide their face” (Isaiah 53:3). The Roman governor stood face to face with this Servant and did not understand what he was seeing.
The Significance of Mark 15:5
- Strength under control
Jesus’ silence was not weakness. He could have answered every charge. Instead he showed the strength of one who is secure in God and does not need to defend his own reputation. The letter to the Hebrews says he “endured the cross, despising its shame” (Hebrews 12:2).
- A silence that speaks
Sometimes a calm and gentle silence speaks more loudly than many words. When believers are mocked or misrepresented, a quiet spirit that trusts God can make others wonder, as Pilate did, what kind of person this is and where such peace comes from.
- Wonder that leads nowhere
Pilate marveled, but he did not believe. Being impressed by Jesus is not the same as following him. Later a Roman centurion who watched Jesus die went further and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
Cross-References:
Isaiah 53:7: "He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth." The silence of the suffering Servant.
Mark 14:61: "But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing." Jesus was silent before the high priest too.
1 Peter 2:23: "Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back." Jesus’ example of patient endurance.
Conclusion: After declaring the truth about himself, Jesus gave Pilate no further answer, and the governor was amazed. His silence fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of the Servant who did not open his mouth, and it showed his willing acceptance of his Father’s plan. Pilate marveled but did not believe; the silence of Jesus invites us to go further, to trust him as the Lamb of God who suffered for us.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible