Mark 15:5 But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.

How does Jesus respond when Pilate questions Him, saying, “Do you not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” (Mark 15:4)?

“But Jesus made no further answer…” (Mark 15:5a).

•  οὐκέτι ούδὲν (ouketi ouden) (“no further”)

o  “Redundant negatives are another contribution to Mark’s distinctly heavy style, though several other NT authors share this habit, and it is common in earlier secular authors”   (James Hope Moulton and Nigel Turner, A Grammar of New Testament Greek: Style, V. 4, p. 26).

• What is prophesied concerning the righteous sufferer in Psalm 38:13-14?

“But I, like a deaf man, do not hear;

And I am like a mute man who does not open his mouth.

Yes, I am like a man who does not hear,

And in whose mouth are no arguments.”

• What is prophesied concerning the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:7?

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He did not open His mouth;

 Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,

And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,

So He did not open His mouth.”

What was the result of Jesus’ silence?

“…so Pilate was amazed” (Mark 15:5b).

• θαυμάζειν (thaumazein) (“was amazed”)

Present Active Infinitive of θαυμάζω,

“to be extraordinarily impressed or disturbed by something, act; intr. wonder, marvel, be astonished (the context determines whether in a good or bad sense)” (BDAG, 444).

• “Mark indicated that ‘Pilate was amazed’ in order to show that the governor recognized that Jesus was a most unusual person. Probably Mark intended to convey the idea of religious awe. Certainly the theme of amazement is a consistent Markan theme (1:22, 27; 2:12; 5:20; 6:2, 51; 10:24, 26; 11:18; 12:17).” (James A. Brooks, The New American Commentary: Mark, V. 23, p. 251).

“…HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME” (Rev 4:8b). “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Rev 4:11). “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev 5:12b). “…To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever” (Rev 5:13b). 

In Jesus Name, Amen.