Matthew 26:62-63
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The high priest's question isn't just asking for Jesus's defense; it's a loaded trap. He knows Jesus has remained silent, so he uses the question "What is it that these men testify against you?" to pressure Jesus into revealing himself as the Christ, which they planned to twist into blasphemy. This moment highlights the desperate, almost panicked, attempt of the religious leaders to find any way to condemn Jesus, even if it meant manipulating the legal process.
And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin is reaching its climax, with false witnesses having testified against him. The high priest, frustrated by Jesus's silence, challenges him directly, demanding an answer to the accusations. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to directly affirm his identity as the Christ when directly questioned under oath.
Why did Jesus, facing false accusations, remain silent? Was it a sign of guilt, or something far more profound?
Jesus' silence before the high priest wasn't an admission of guilt, but a deliberate choice rooted in wisdom and prophecy.
A Higher Court
Jesus understood the proceedings were illegitimate. The Sanhedrin had already decided his fate and were merely going through the motions to justify their predetermined verdict. Responding to their sham trial would have lent it an authority it didn't deserve.
Fulfilling Prophecy
His silence echoed the prophecies about the suffering Servant, who, when accused, opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus consistently demonstrated that he knew the Scriptures and was living them out, even in his darkest hour.
Calculated Restraint
He knew a direct confession of his identity would be twisted into blasphemy by his accusers. Remaining silent, for a time, was a strategic move that set the stage for his powerful confession when formally adjured (asked under oath) in the next verse. It was a calm, controlled response in the face of chaos.
The trial was falling apart. What desperate tactic did the high priest employ to secure a conviction against Jesus?
The high priest's question wasn't a genuine attempt to seek truth, but a last-ditch effort to trap Jesus.
A Failed Prosecution
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The witnesses had already failed to produce credible, consistent testimony against Jesus. Their accounts were weak, and Jesus correctly assessed that they weren't even worth a verbal rebuttal.
The Oath as a Trap
Recognizing Jesus' silence and the lack of solid evidence, the high priest resorted to a powerful religious tactic: he adjured Jesus. This meant putting Jesus under oath, demanding a direct answer concerning his identity as the Christ. This was a cunning move because:
This wasn't about justice; it was about engineering a conviction at any cost. The high priest's rising in anger and passion (as Mark notes) reveals the desperation behind his words.
Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
A high-ranking religious official in Israel, specifically the head of the Aaronic priesthood who oversaw the sacrificial system and entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement.
exorkizō · Greek Verb
To charge or command someone under oath, often invoking the name of God to ensure the truthfulness of the response.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Greek translation of the Hebrew 'Messiah' (Anointed One), referring to the King chosen and consecrated by God to deliver His people and establish His kingdom.
huios Theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title indicating Jesus' unique, divine nature as the second person of the Trinity, possessing the same essence as the Father.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus undergoes a series of trials before Jewish authorities, including the Sanhedrin, and subsequently the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. 30 AD
Sanhedrin Trial
Jesus is brought before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, presided over by High Priest Caiaphas. Accusations of blasphemy are made, and witnesses offer testimony.
c. 30 AD
Trial before Pontius Pilate
Jesus is handed over to the Roman prefect, Pontius Pilate, who presides over the Roman trial to determine if Jesus is guilty of sedition against Rome.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
After being condemned, Jesus is scourged, mocked, and led to Golgotha where he is crucified between two criminals. He dies later that day.
This passage powerfully foretells the suffering servant who 'was oppressed, and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.' Jesus' silence directly fulfills this prophecy, highlighting his willing submission to suffering.
1 Peter 2:23Peter explicitly connects Jesus' behavior during his trial to the prophecy in Isaiah, stating, '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.' This shows how Jesus' silence was an act of trust in God's righteous judgment.
Mark 14:61This parallel account emphasizes the high priest's direct question, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' It highlights the critical, pivotal moment where Jesus is directly confronted with his identity and the ensuing accusation of blasphemy.
John 18:20-21In contrast to his silence before the Sanhedrin, Jesus had previously responded to Pilate by asking, 'Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them.' This shows Jesus' discerning approach to speaking, choosing silence when it served God's purpose and speaking when it was necessary.
Daniel 7:13The high priest's ultimate question, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of God?' (Mark 14:61), presses Jesus to affirm a title that, in their understanding, carried divine authority. Jesus' eventual affirmation and reference to the 'Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven' directly links him to this prophetic vision of ultimate divine authority and judgment.
barnesMatthew 26:62: "And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?"
Jesus held his peace - Was silent. He knew that the evidence did not even appear to amount to anything worth a reply. He knew that they were aware of that, and that feeling that, the high priest attempted to draw something from him on which they could condemn him. I adjure thee by the living God - I put thee upon thy oath before God. This was the usual form of putt…
bensonMatthew 26:62: "And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?"
Matthew 26:62-64 . And the high-priest arose, (Mark, stood up in the midst, ) and said, Answerest thou nothing? — When the high-priest found that Jesus took little notice of the things which the witnesses alleged against him, he rose from his seat in a passion, supposing that our Lord intended to put an affront upon the council, and desired him to give the reason o…
The high priest's question isn't just asking for Jesus's defense; it's a loaded trap. He knows Jesus has remained silent, so he uses the question "What is it that these men testify against you?" to pressure Jesus into revealing himself as the Christ, which they planned to twist into blasphemy. This moment highlights the desperate, almost panicked, attempt of the religious leaders to find any way to condemn Jesus, even if it meant manipulating the legal process.
The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin is reaching its climax, with false witnesses having testified against him. The high priest, frustrated by Jesus's silence, challenges him directly, demanding an answer to the accusations. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to directly affirm his identity as the Christ when directly questioned under oath.
The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin is reaching its climax, with false witnesses having testified against him. The high priest, frustrated by Jesus's silence, challenges him directly, demanding an answer to the accusations. This moment sets the stage for Jesus to directly affirm his identity as the Christ when directly questioned under oath.
"And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ,…" — The high priest's question isn't just asking for Jesus's defense; it's a loaded trap. He knows Jesus has remained silent, so he uses the question "What is it that these men testify against you?" to p…
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Last reviewed October 2026
