Mark 14:61 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

NIV: But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'

NASB: But He kept silent and did not offer any answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and *said to Him, 'Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?'

CSB: But he kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? "

NLT: But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'

KJV: But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

NKJV: But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

In the prophecy of the Suffering Servant Isaiah writes, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).

Obviously, Jesus spoke during the various trials, but not in defense. When questioned, He insists that the testimony come from witnesses, not Himself (John 18:20–23). He never defends Himself, nor makes any effort to avoid the cross. His testimony, as it is, is only to confirm His identity (Mark 14:62; 15:2; John 18:33–38).

Throughout His ministry, Jesus has silenced demons (Mark 1:25) and followers (Mark 8:29–30) from publicizing that He is the Messiah. The prophetic expectations are that the Messiah will free the Jews and lead them into a blessed future. In fact, a mob that guessed Jesus might be the Messiah tried to seize Him and make Him king (John 6:15). Jesus did not publicly proclaim to be the Messiah when that road led to victory and a throne. He will only acknowledge it on the way to the cross, where the real work will be done.

The Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah include David's description of his Lord in Psalm 110:1 and Daniel's vision of the Son of Man in 7:13. "Christ" is from the Greek word Christos and literally means the anointed one. Christ is Greek for the Jewish Messiah which is the one who is anointed or chosen by God to redeem Israel (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1–3). "The Blessed" is from the Greek root word eulogetos. It means one who is blessed or praised and is only ever used of God. "Son of God" does not necessarily mean the Messiah in Hebrew Scripture, although it does in extra-biblical writings. "Son of God" is someone who bears a resemblance to God, whether metaphysically or as one whom God has chosen (Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1; Psalm 2:7–8). But Jesus has already publicly pronounced, in Solomon's Portico on the temple courtyard, that He and the Father are of one substance (John 10:30). In this context, being identified as the "Son of God" means more than Jesus as God's servant.

With Jesus' affirmation (Mark 14:62), He ensures His condemnation by the Sanhedrin, and the eventuality of His crucifixion. Once again, this shows that Jesus is entirely in command of the situation (Matthew 26:53). Events progress because He is the Messiah, not because of false accusations or human schemes.

Mark 14:53–65 happens immediately after Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus will face four separated trials, in multiple segments. The first is with the Sanhedrin, the council that judges if Jews have broken the Mosaic law. The second trial is with Pilate, the Roman governor (Mark 15:1–5). Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who rules over Jesus' home district of Galilee and happens to be in town (Luke 23:6–16). Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate who, at the Sanhedrin's insistence, sentences Jesus to death (Mark 15:6–15). Jesus' interview with the Sanhedrin is also found in Matthew 26:57–68, Luke 22:63–71, and John 18:12–14, 19–24.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.