Matthew 27:11-14, Jesus Before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.”12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Comments

Jesus probably stood on a wooden platform before the governor’s residence for this public hearing. Pilate asked him a sarcastic question that included the title Jesus has come to fulfill: The King of the Jews. Jesus answered “yes” when he told Pilate, “You have said so.” Pilate, the prefect of Judaea, had the sole authority to acquit or condemn a person and to sentence him. Jesus’s silence would have been embarrassing for the governor as Roman judges disliked sentencing an undefended man.

Prayer

Blessed be he who in his love stooped to redeem mankind! Blessed be the King who made himself poor to enrich the needy! Blessed be he who made creation rejoice with the wealth and treasure of his Father! Blessed be he whose glory the dumb sang with hosannas! Blessed be he to whom little children sang new glory in hymns of praise! Blessed be the new King who came that new-born babes might glorify him! Blessed be he unto whom children brought faltering songs to praise him among his disciples!

(Ephraem the Syrian, c. 306-376)