Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 27:14
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.
To never a word – That is, not at all. He said nothing. This is, an emphatic way of saying that he answered nothing. There was no need of his replying. He was innocent, and they offered no proof of guilt. Besides, his appearance was full evidence in his favor. He was poor, unarmed, without powerful friends, and alone. His life had been public, and his sentiments were well known, and the charge had on the face of it the aspect of absurdity. It deserved, therefore, no answer.
Marvelled greatly – Wondered exceedingly, or was much surprised. He was probably more surprised that he bore this so meekly, and did not return railing for railing, than that he did not set up a defense. The latter was unnecessary – the former was unusual. The governor was not accustomed to see it, and was therefore greatly amazed.
It was at this time that Pilate, having heard them speak of Galilee Luk 23:5, asked if he was a Galilean. Having ascertained that he was, and being probably desirous of freeing himself from any further trouble in the affair, under pretence that he belonged to Herods jurisdiction, he sent Jesus to Herod, who was then at Jerusalem attending the feast of the Passover, Luk 23:6-12. Herod, having examined him, and finding no cause of death in him, sent him back to Pilate. Pleased with the respect which had been shown him, Herod laid aside his enmity against Pilate, and they became friends. The cause of their friendship does not appear to be at all that they were united in opposing the claims of Jesus to be the Messiah, but the respect which Pilate had shown in sending Jesus to him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. Marvelled greatly.] Silence under calumny manifests the utmost magnanimity. The chief priests did not admire this because it confounded them; but Pilate, who had no interest to serve by it, was deeply affected. This very silence was predicted. Isa 53:7.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And he gave him no answer, not even to one word ( ). Jesus refused to answer the charges of the Jews (verse 12). Now he continued silent under the direct question of Pilate. The Greek is very precise besides the double negative. “He did not reply to him up to not even one word.” This silent dignity amazed Pilate and yet he was strangely impressed.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
14. The governor marvelled greatly It might not be so wonderful that a prisoner should make no defence; but the many circumstances of a mysterious nature, which Jesus refused to explain, greatly perplexed the governor.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he gave him no answer, not even to one word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.’
Jesus continued to maintain His silence in the face of His accusers. He stood there as regally as His situation would permit, (sufficiently to impress Pilate), and not one word left His mouth. This constant silence in the face of the accusations is a constant feature of the narratives in all the Gospels, which are in their own way consistent in this regard throughout (Mat 26:62; Mat 27:12; Mat 27:14; Mar 14:60-61; Mar 15:4; Luk 23:9; Joh 19:9-10). He disdains to argue about what should not have needed to be argued, before those who did not want to know the truth, because He knew that they had not a jot of evidence against Him and yet would proceed anyway. But when alone with Pilate He is willing to speak with him (Joh 18:33-38), not so much in order to rebut the arguments as to make plain His true position to him. He does, however, at no time make any attempt to obtain His freedom. He lets the world pass judgment on itself, if it is unwilling to face the obvious truth. In this lies the evidence of His complete certainty about His future.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 27:14. And he answered him to never a word, &c. Jesus made no reply to the heavycharges laid against him; nay, he continued mute, notwithstanding the governor expressly required him to speak in his own defence. See Isa 53:7. A conduct so extraordinaryin such circumstances, astonished Pilate exceedingly; for he had good reason to be persuaded of Christ’s innocence. Indeed his humble appearance was a sufficient refutation of the charge which the Jews brought against him; and his silence servedinsteadofthemostelaboratedefence;andpossibly Jesus might decline making any public defence, lest the common people, moved by what he must have said, should have asked his release, and prevented his death; in which respect, he has shewn his followers a noble example of courage and submission to the divine
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 27:14 ] intensifying the force of the expression: to not even a single word, i . e. to not even a single inquisitorial interrogative. The silence mentioned in Mat 27:12 ; Mat 27:14 comes in after the examination reported in Joh 18:37 .
] convinced as he was of the innocence of Jesus, he was all the more at a loss to understand the forbearance with which He maintained such sublime silence.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Ver. 14. The governor marvelled ] That Christ should so betray his own cause, by an obstinate silence. But why marvelled he not as much at the impudence of the priests, pressing such palpable untruths against him? He did, no doubt; and yet against all equity yielded to their importunity. But should not magistrates be men of courage, coeur-de-lions? Solomon’s throne was supported by lions; to show what manner of men such should be as sit in places of judicature.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 27:14 . : still no reply, though no disrespect to the governor intended. , etc., the governor was very much ( , at the end, emphatic) astonished: at the silence , and at the man ; the silence attracting attention to the Silent One. A new type of Jew this. The result of his observation is a favourable impression; how could it be otherwise? Pilate was evidently not alarmed by the charge brought against Jesus. Why? Apparently at first glance he saw that the man before him was not likely to be a pretender to royalty in any sense that he need trouble himself about. The in an emphatic position in Mat 27:11 suggests this = You the King of the Jews! Then there was nothing to bear out the pretension: no position, prestige, wealth, following; no troops, etc. (Grotius).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
never = not one.
word. Greek. rhema. See note on Mar 9:32.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 27:14. , not to one word even) i.e. as far as concerned answering the Jews concerning the kingdom. He afterwards once answered Pilate concerning another matter, Joh 19:11.- , so that the Procurator marvelled greatly) For no one is wont to remain silent when his life is at stake, especially after he has once begun to speak.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
marvelled: Psa 71:7, Isa 8:18, Zec 3:8, 1Co 4:9
Reciprocal: Isa 52:14 – many Mat 27:12 – General Mar 15:5 – Pilate Luk 23:9 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Mat 27:14. And he gave him no answer, not even to one word. This is the emphatic force of the original.
Marvelled greatly. The silence of our Lord continued until just before the final decision (see Joh 19:10-11). Those accused are not often silent, and Pilate had probably found the Jews tried at his bar especially vehement.