Book of Mark - Chapter 15 - Verse 3

When Jesus stood before the chief priests and was accused of many wrongdoings, his response was silence. This act of not defending himself against the accusations is believed to fulfill the prophecy found in Isaiah 53:7 which says, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." In this moment, Jesus demonstrates his obedience to God's will and his willingness to endure the suffering that was to come. By choosing silence, Jesus also shows his humility and his willingness to bear the burden of our sins without protest. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the plan of salvation for all humanity.

Within the theological interpretation of the verse, 'And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.', the silence of Jesus in the face of false accusations is often seen as a demonstration of his obedience to the will of God. This act of silence is indicative of Jesus fulfilling the role of the suffering servant as prophesied in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. By not defending himself against the accusations of the chief priests, Jesus exemplifies his submission to God's plan for salvation through his sacrificial death on the cross.

In a deeper word study, the term "accused" in this verse originates from the Greek word "ἐγκαλέω" (enkaleó), which can also mean to bring charges against or to accuse formally in a legal context. The fact that Jesus chose to remain silent in the face of these accusations may also be understood as a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, where it describes the suffering servant as being silent before his accusers. This insight offers a richer understanding of Jesus' intentional response to the chief priests' accusations, highlighting his role as the ultimate sacrifice for the atonement of sin.