Matthew 27:11-14

Examination Before Pilate (27:11-14).

The examination before Pilate is described with remarkable conciseness. Matthew feels that he has already made clear the nature of the charges against Jesus (for a summary of them see Luke 23:2). The main difference lies in the fact that instead of the charge being that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, it is that He is declaring Himself to be ‘the King of the Jews'. The religious charge has become a political, one that should concern Pilate. He is said to be claiming to be a self-appointed King over against the ruler appointed by Caesar. But as we have already learned in Matthew 2:2 ‘King of the Jews' is the Gentile name for the Expected One. Thus Jesus will not deny being the King of the Jews. But He will deny having any intention of seeking to oppose Caesar.

Once again, however, in the face of the charges brought by the Chief Priests and Elders He says nothing. His dignified silence brings home their guilt, and He leaves them to condemn themselves, while at the same time impressing Pilate. ‘As a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth' (Isaiah 53:7). We are left recognising that something like John 18:33 is required in order to give us the full picture. Jesus would not deign to answer the false charges of ‘the shearers', a vivid picture of those who sought to tear away His innocence, but He was quite willing to speak with Pilate alone. For the false rulers of the Jews He had no time. They had revealed themselves for what they were.

Analysis.

a Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is you who say” ' (Matthew 27:11).

b And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing (Matthew 27:12).

c Then says Pilate to him, “Do you not hear how many things they witness against you?” (Matthew 27:13).

b And he gave him no answer, not even to one word (Matthew 27:14 a).

a Insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly (Matthew 27:14 b).

Note that in ‘a' He stands before the Governor, who asks Him concerning His status, and in the parallel the Governor marvels. In ‘b' He gives no reply to the Chief Priests and Elders, and in the parallel He gives no answer to Pilate concerning what they have said. Centrally in ‘c' we have a description of the charges which have been heaped up on the basis of insufficient evidence, bringing home the perfidy of the Chief Priests and Elders.