Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You.”
Pilate is astonished at Christ’s silence, because a man who is being condemned usually tries in every way to defend himself. But the Lord does not answer false and malicious accusations. His silence was not a sign of weakness, but holy patience and obedience to the Father’s will. He does not enter into the clamor of accusations and does not try to avoid the path of the cross, because He had come for that very hour. In this silence His voluntary obedience is seen: He allows people to judge Him, yet in truth He goes toward sacrifice in order to carry out the Father’s saving will.