Matthew 26:57-63: Silent Before His Shearers

But Jesus remained silent.  Matthew 26:63

Amazingly, these religious Jews who meditated, prayed, memorized Scripture, fasted and preached righteousness were able to block out statements in Scripture such as Proverbs 6:16-19, which emphasizes that God hates “a lying tongue,” a “heart that devises wicked plans,” and a “false witness who utters lies.” (Moody Gospel Commentary, p. 514)

 “Hold on, I have to think about this. [Long pause.] If there is a God, all evidence shows that He hates me.” (Response given by cartoonist Matt Groening in a September 6, 2000 interview titled "Is There A God?" posted at www.avclub.com)

Jesus has been arrested; “all the disciples left Him and fled,” (v. 56).  Then those who had seized Jesus led him (v. 57) first “to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year,” (John 18:12).   This was, as Blomberg’s commentary phrases it, a “courtesy call to the ex-high priest Annas.”  After he abuses Jesus, “Annas then sent him bound” (John 18:24) to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered (v. 57). 

And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside with help from John (see John 18:16), he sat with the guards to see the end (v. 58). 

Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put Him to death but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.  At last two came forward (vv. 59-60).  The hypocrisy and illegality of this trial is atrocious.   On one hand, the Council wanted false witnesses even though this goes against the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:16). On the other, they knew they needed at least two witnesses (see Deuteronomy 17:6).  And Mark adds that even the two witnesses could not agree on their testimony (see Mark 14:59). 

The two who came forward said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days,’” (v. 61).   It is John who records Jesus saying these words (John 2:19).  John also adds that Jesus was not speaking of the literal temple but of His own body (John 2:21).   Still it was presented as evidence against Jesus to Caiaphas.    

Maybe Caiaphas knew that the testimony of the witnesses was not trustworthy.  Maybe Caiaphas extended a chance to Jesus to defend Himself.  Regardless, the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make?   What is it that these men testify against you?” (v. 62) But Jesus remained silent.  (v. 63)

Silence...Our Lord responds to the charges against Him with silence.

Isaiah speaks of the Messiah like this:  “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;  like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth,” (Isaiah 53:7).  Peter reminds us that, “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly,” (1 Peter 2:23).  

In our world where no one thinks twice about lashing out against one’s critics, Jesus’ silence is truly counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. But we are not dealing with just any man.  Jesus Himself, on trial here before mere humans, will come again to judge.  He will gather the nations before Him and separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the weeds. For now though He is silent, entrusting Himself to “Him who judges justly” and He is waiting for Judgment Day. 

Can you live with the injustices of life?   Can you not defend yourself against gossip, even trumped up charges, knowing that someday all will be uncovered and revealed?     Are you “looking out for number one” or have you entrusted yourself “to Him who judges justly”?  Maybe you are guilty of a wrong and you need to now go and make it right, ask for forgiveness, or give back something that is not yours.   May each of us entrust ourselves “to Him who judges justly.”