And he answered him to never a word
He made no reply to anyone thing which Pilate suggested to him,
though it seems to have been in a kind and friendly way, and with
a view to his good:
insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly;
that a man, who at other times had such fluency of speech, and
readiness of expression, who both for matter and words, and also
weight and authority, spake as never man did: and who had so
often silenced the Scribes and Pharisees, men of the greatest
learning among the Jews, of which Pilate, doubtless, had
knowledge, should say nothing in his own defence; and especially
when the charges brought against him were of a capital nature,
and touched his life, and yet were so easy to be refuted, and
proved to be false ones: and what might increase his wonder, was,
that he should take no notice of them, nor return an answer to
them, considering by whom they were brought; not by the common
people, but by the sanhedrim of the nation, and that before him
the Roman governor, who had power to crucify or release him: and
above all, he marvelled at the patience of Jesus, that he could
hear such notorious falsities, and which so affected his
character, and his life, and say nothing to them; and at the
fortitude of his mind, at his being so regardless of his life,
and fearless of death.
