John 19:9–12 (WEL) He returned to the Judgment Hall and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 Pilate then said to him, “Aren’t you going to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have authority to crucify you and authority to release you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over me except it were given to you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.” 12 From that time on, Pilate kept seeking to release him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
V9 He returned to the Judgment Hall and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer.
Why didn’t Jesus give an answer? Some possibilities:
- It wouldn’t do any good because Pilate could care less.
- It wouldn’t do any good because Pilate was trying to pawn Him off to someone else to judge.
- It wouldn’t do any good because Pilate would not have believed Him anyway.
- It wouldn’t do any good because Jesus had already answered it. See
- It is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7.
- Stephen R Cook suggests via AI Summary:
- The answer would have come from the Father’s timing, not Roman interrogation.
- To answer Pilate on Pilate’s terms would have been to concede that Rome was the deciding authority.
- Jesus refuses to make the trial about jurisdiction when it is actually about atonement.
- Silence and calm in the face of interrogation is a strong witness for the truth.
V10 Pilate then said to him, “Aren’t you going to speak to me? Don’t you know that I have authority to crucify you and authority to release you?”
It is true that Pilate has such Roman government authority, but Jesus is presenting Himself as the Passover Lamb, not as a criminal seeking pardon or mercy.
V11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over me except it were given to you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”
Jesus teaches a strong principle: God is sovereign over leaders, and if it is His will, He can override any decision of any earthly leader. God did not decree this question and silence. Compare Daniel 4:34–37 and Proverbs 21:1. Also see Psalm 10:16.
V12 From that time on, Pilate kept seeking to release him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
Pilate was motivated by fear. He wanted to appease the bloodthirsty Jewish leaders yet needed to please the Romans’ peace. If he acquitted and released Jesus, the Jews would riot. If he crucified an innocent man, Pilate’s superior might punish him.
The murdering Jewish leaders emphasize this danger.
We learn:
- The alternative answer of silence.
- The authority of leaders can be overridden at any time.
Questions:
- Have you ever been silent to your boss or other authority?
- Do you pray that leaders make wise and godly decisions?