Matthew 27:12

12 But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing.

Matthew 27:12 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:12

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders,
&c.] As that he was a perverter of the people, a stirrer of sedition, discord, and rebellion among them; that he taught them not to give tribute to Caesar, and set up himself for a king; all which he had done not in one place only, but throughout all the land of Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem; see ( Luke 23:2 Luke 23:5 ) ,

he answered nothing;
the things laid to his charge being notoriously false, and known to be so by all the people; and the evidence with which they were supported being so slender, the judge could never receive it; he therefore judged it unnecessary, and not worth a while to return an answer to them: besides, he knew they were bent upon his death, and that, should he set aside these charges, as he easily could, they would invent new ones, and so increase their sin, and their condemnation: but the chief reason of all, of his silence, was, he had the sins of his people to answer for, and the time of his dying for them was now come, and for which he was ready; and therefore would say nothing to remove these false charges, and retard his death.

Matthew 27:12 In-Context

10 And they purchased the potter's field. And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.

11 Jesus was placed before the governor, who questioned him: "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?" Jesus said, "If you say so."

12 But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing.

13 Pilate asked him, "Do you hear that long list of accusations? Aren't you going to say something?"

14 Jesus kept silence - not a word from his mouth. The governor was impressed, really impressed.