Why was Jesus Christ silent like a lamb?

Jesus Christ would have had every opportunity to defend himself against the charges based on His knowledge of the Gospel (Old Testament) available at the time and His authority. The High Priest’s accusations were all false and aimed only at bringing the Savior to the cross. But Jesus Christ remained silent. He said nothing in His defense, He did not open His mouth. Why?

Silence in the event of false accusations

“He 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.“.

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This is what it says in the prophecy of Isaiah (53, 7), written around 680 BC. An announcement of what came to pass after the arrest of Jesus Christ. Standing before the high priest Caiaphas, Jesus was supposed to answer questions. Gathered were the elders, the entire high council and the chief priests. They were looking for a reason to have Jesus Christ executed by the Romans. They themselves found no reason and had to rely on the statements of two false witnesses. The high priest confronted Jesus Christ with these claims, but Jesus remained silent. Only when Caiaphas asked Jesus directly whether He was the Christ, the Son of God, did Jesus answer, “You said so!” (Matthew 26:57-68)

In the face of all false accusations, persistent silence and no attempt at justification. There must be a reason for this, after all, this had already been predicted by Isaiah around 700 years ago.

There was a reason for the silence

The reasons for Jesus Christ’s silence are obvious. Jesus Christ has proven to everyone who He really is. Just through His sermons with authority, His deeds of salvation and miracles, it was clear that He was the long-announced Son of God. His announced appearance was finally also known to the scribes. Yet most people did not believe Jesus Christ, especially not the scribes and Pharisees. Even many of those in high places in the priesthood who were convinced by the works of Jesus still spoke out against the Savior simply because they feared for their high position. Jesus Christ told the truth, it was obvious, yet most people did not believe Him.

“for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men“, says Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:9. In other words, all life in the universe witnesses everything that happens here. All could observe the actions, speech and ministry of Jesus Christ and the same witnesses also saw the prevailing wickedness of the people. They are all witnesses. It is about nothing less than the justification of God. God is actually just and not a tyrant, as the great adversary portrays through his accusation. Everyone should be able to see with their own eyes where sin leads. Into absolute ruin, and this also in the form of the boundless evil of people.

Emphasis on evil

The silence of Jesus Christ in the face of the patently false accusations witnessed by observers of this “spectacle in the world” clearly highlights the evilness of the accusers. What could be done about it? Jesus’ justification based on His complete innocence also has countless witnesses. All that remains is impressive evidence of their evil through their own actions. When faced with the accusations, Jesus Christ remained silent.

But not with the question of Caiaphas. The high priest asked if He was indeed the Son of God. Jesus Christ confirmed this, He is the Son of God. But this statement ultimately led to the hoped-for, constructed evidence that would enable the Savior to be put on the cross. In view of the truth about Jesus’ healing and miraculous deeds, now the clear and also truthful statement that He is the announced Messiah, the Son of God. “Of all things” this led to condemnation by the Sanhedrin, the chief priest and the elders. The wickedness driven by Satan could not be more clearly demonstrated.

The ultimate proof

The ultimate proof of the result of sin, the wickedness, and also of Satan’s responsibility for this ongoing disintegration of humanity since the Fall, was the crucifixion of the Savior. All the world witnessed that sin leads even to the killing of the Son of God, even though He was not guilty of anything. Jesus Christ was also the ultimate proof that, with God’s help, man is fully capable of keeping the laws (10 Commandments). This is exactly why God became a human being. He made himself equal to men (Philippians 2:5-8) and 1. Timothy 3:16:
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.“

With the revelation of the wickedness caused and promoted by Satan against the truth, God’s Word, even God’s Son, the watching world was finally convinced. Satan’s strategy collapsed and he was finally defeated. His plans were finally over with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everyone could see who he really is (“he dresses like an angel of light,” 2 Corinthians 11:14) and what his real intentions are. One can therefore assume that Satan’s only aim is to drag every human being as well as God’s entire creation into his certain destruction.

The Silence of Jesus – A Role Model

Jesus Christ should be an example in every respect for every serious follower. Silence at the right time is also part of it. Clarifications and corrections to false teachings using the Bible as a template are certainly appropriate. But if your own position or decision is clearly based on the gospel and you are accused because of it, then it is better to remain silent instead of defending yourself with “hands and feet”. A “thus says the Lord” or “it is written” with the biblical statement to back it up should be enough. If the accusation once referred to observing Saturday (Sabbath) instead of the once prescribed Sunday, then the answer is limited to a reference to Exodus 20:8-11 (Info).

Because here too, the world is a witness to the position of the accused in the easily verifiable truth, and also a witness to the error and malice of the accusers. Man should not justify himself, which is impossible for him anyway, but man serves to justify God (Info). The person who follows Jesus Christ, bears His testimony, and keeps God’s commandments is proof that God is indeed righteous. The glorification of God through obedience to Him leads to man’s justification through the grace of Jesus Christ. Judgment is not man’s business, but God’s alone.

Practice real tolerance

“A Christian cannot put up with everything,” goes one thesis. But! A Christian who follows Jesus Christ will tolerate all injustice. Only in this way does the Christian who endures evil (=tolerance!) highlight the evilness of the accuser in his own position of truth. Anyone who remains faithful to the Word of God will very soon find themselves in such a situation. Mark 13:13:
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.“

The emphasis of the verse can be placed on the words “of all men”. For the Word of God, the statutes of God will stand contrary to the rules once established in this world. Adhering to God’s commandments is likely to be met with as little understanding as the teachings of Jesus Christ, which were diametrically opposed to the stories of the Pharisees and scribes.

Bible verses from King James Version