Jesus and Pilate: Silence & Sentence

March 24, 2021

In the public ministry of Jesus, he had met different types of people: children, young, old, men, women, sick, lepers, paralytics, possessed, religious leaders, outcastes, civil authorities, rich, poor etc. Of all the persons, he encountered, one person is ostensibly standing out and he is Pilate. According to the Biblical sources, Jesus met Pilate only once and the meeting must have lasted for a few minutes and this encounter resulted in the historic death “Sentence” pronounced by Pilate and the obvious “Silence” of Jesus.

The Sentence of Pilate

The Gospel of John concludes the meeting of Jesus with Pilate saying, ‘Then he handed him over to them to be crucified’ (John 19:16). The encounter of Jesus with Pilate culminated in the cowardly death penalty levied by Pilate that ‘Jesus to be crucified.

Prior to this most unjust and cruel Sentence, the gospel of John, sketches out the dramatic meeting of these two men. All circumstances tell us that it was a face to face of two opposing forces. Pilate clad in his Roman attire as the Governor, surrounded with palatial entourage; men at his beck and call, having power to condemn or liberate the person standing before him; possessing power, totally conscious of his authority and status. Pilate is equally under pressure from the forces of darkness, represented by men gathered in front of the Praetorium vomiting lies and hatred.

En face of Pilate, is Jesus, Son of God, the Messiah, the holy of holies, found semi clad, hands cuffed, tired, surrounded by a bunch of mockers, insulted, beaten, humiliated, suppressed, ostracized. In this most dastardly circumstance, Jesus is not frightened before this monotonous power and authority. Jesus is weak physically for he had an excruciating, painful and sorrowful night but He is powerful and strong spiritually. He looks around the acerbity of the human power and position, the vanity of human greed, alas, wretched man drunk with the liquid of power, blinded; the folly of humanity so flagrantly seen in this Roman authority. And the climax of the paradoxes is that this man is asking Jesus a momentous question: “What is truth?” Was Pilate curious, was he interested, was he captivated, or fooling around, ironic and acidic? Nonetheless, the question is not banal, it is significant.

The Silence of Jesus

Jesus does not answer before Pilate; He is silent. His silence is confusing to Pilate. This man clad in royal clothes, who believed in his earthly power and pomp is perplexed. The silence of Jesus confused him because Pilate was blinded to see the truth standing before him. Pilate did have ears but he could not hear and he did have eyes but he was not ready to see. In reality, the silence of Jesus was more powerful than Pilate’s talk. We discover that the passion moments of Jesus were verbally silent. He had uttered only a few words, for Jesus’ language was not words but his person. Jesus’ silence is not emptiness but full of wisdom, it is a different language which requires special earphones to listen and to understand. You can’t hear the sound of Jesus when you are wrapped with the clamor for power, prestige, position, pomp, pride. The silence of Jesus disturbs Pilate, it disturbed him even later. Pilate refused to see the truth for the truth, he calculated, would axe his earthly solemnity and sovereignty. He succumbs to the human hanker for supremacy, domination. Pilate manifests his vulnerability, incapacity.

If Pilate did not hear the sound of Jesus’ silence, the simple and ordinary people who frequented Jesus in his public life heard it. Jesus had proclaimed that “I am the truth” (John 14: 6). This truth was seen even by the blind, when they shouted “Jesus son of David have pity on me”. This was realized by Zachaeus the sinner when he changed his life. This was experienced by Mary and Martha during their brother’s demise. This truth was discovered by Nicodemus even in the darkest hour of the night. They all saw Jesus as the truth, they experienced, savoured this truth, proclaimed this truth. Isn’t it true that a rose does not have to announce that it is a rose for its perfume is its testimony? The lily doesn’t have to shout that it is beautiful for its colour is its testimony. Jesus did not have to answer to Pilate that He is the truth for his very self, his face was manifesting the truth. The silence of Jesus demonstrated His extraordinary strength and dignity, He does not resist; He doesn't rail against His enemies; He doesn't protest His innocence; His silence is noble, powerful. When it was needed and necessary, Jesus did speak, sometimes He shouted, a few occasions He condemned, and even roared with anger when it was essential. Jesus never spared the religious authorities when they were unjust. But Jesus realized that the only way to confront the most powerful man sitting before him was to be silent.

Holy week is a time to see the face of Jesus, to experience the truth, a truth which is not limited to words, not caged in a definition, not bound to human language, but a truth to be seen, experienced, felt, lived. Only a person who has met Jesus can say, I have seen and experienced the truth. Jesus, the truth is love, peace, joy, happiness and forgiveness.

The meeting of Jesus with Pilate is not over, it continues. The truth today is silenced everywhere. Death sentences are given sans pity. Innocent, poor, simple, guiltless, are accused, blamed, inculpated. Pilates are hidden in the garbs of so many men in authority. But Jesus teaches us through his very life that truth can never be suppressed, sabotaged, destroyed much less silenced. Today we need the power of Jesus’ silence and the nobility of his courage. Pilates will come and go but Jesus lasts forever. Holy Week which constitutes the most important Week for humanity to be enlightened by truth, the death “Sentence” of Pilate may not intimidate people looking for justice and dignity. May the “Silence” of Jesus strengthen the victims of human selfishness and greed.

 

 

 

 

By Fr Dr Joseph Martis
Fr Dr Joseph Martis is the former rector of St Joseph's Seminary. Currently, he is the professor and HoD of the Philosophy Department.
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Comment on this article

  • Ben D'Souza Prabhu, Mangalore, Bombay Bandra now in Canada

    Mon, Mar 29 2021

    May the Good Lord Bless you with good health and keep you happy always. Your well written thoughts are inspiring and a good food for all of us ! Thanks dear Fr Dr Martis for your contribution. I loved it.!!!

  • Alphy, Mumbai

    Sun, Mar 28 2021

    Dear Father...you have depicted the truth in this write up which I felt like a Lenten Sermon. "Silence" is golden only if you know the meaning of that silence. In the past few years, Christians have been targeted world over, harassed and killed but the blood of martyr's has made the Church even stronger. The silence of such saints has strengthened each and every one of us. Let us use this period of Holy week to reflect on our lives and reconcile with our creator.

  • Joanne, United States

    Sun, Mar 28 2021

    Thank you Father Joseph for your words of wisdom. I beg God in His Mercy to allow me and my brothers and sisters to remain in His Silence as He remains in His Father. Please God, allow us to adore You in the silence of Adoration to shake off the temptations of the world. Speak Lord for your servant heareth in the SILENCE. Amen🙏🏻🩸💦

  • H.A. Dsouza, Damoh

    Sun, Mar 28 2021

    Thanks Rev Fr. For inspirational article. crucifixion of Jesus shows how cruel World is. But Lord Jesus came to fulfill his mission. After resurrection all World became his followers with new hope of peace, Justice, prosperity and eternal life. Let us dedicate this holy week thanking for his sacrifice he done for us Thank you lord JESUS.

  • Avil, Shirva / Qatar

    Sun, Mar 28 2021

    Nicely articulated, very meaningful article to reflect during the Holy month.

  • Fr. Wilfy Rodrigues, Carmelite (OCD), Farla/ Ryshivana, Ranipura

    Sat, Mar 27 2021

    Fr. Joseph Martis, Beautifully worded! The SILENCE of Jesus is my favoutite theme for the Holy Week. The contrast, the rhyme (Silence and Sentence), the rhythm... all commendable!!!

  • Gracy Aranha, Dubai, UAE

    Sat, Mar 27 2021

    Dear Father, Thanks for this very inspiring article and meaningful reflection on power of Jesus silence. Wishing you the very best.

  • Anu C, Trivandrum

    Sat, Mar 27 2021

    Thanks for this great reflection

  • Wilfred, karnataka

    Fri, Mar 26 2021

    Well written Fr. it is True, Silence has power.we can interpret in our daily life.

  • Fr Anil Lobo, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 26 2021

    Well written article dear Fr Martis. You have rightly brought out the positive aspect of Jesus silence in this article. May Jesus our Lord and master give us the necessary strength to face the challenges of our times. Congratulations dear fr Joseph Martis.

  • Arthur, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 26 2021

    A passage in Oswald Spengler's The Decline of the West articulates the significance of the meeting between Jesus and Pontius Pilate. "But when Jesus was taken before Pilate, then the world of facts and the world truths were face to face in immediate and implacable hostility. It is a scene appallingly distinct and overwhelming in its symbolism, such as the world's history had never before and has never since looked at. The discord that lies at the root of all mobile life from its beginning, in virtue of its very being, of its having both existence and awareness, took here the highest form that can possibly be conceived of human tragedy. In the famous question of the Roman Procurator: "What is truth?"-- the one word [aletheia] that is race-pure in the whole Greek Testament-- lies the entire meaning of history, the exclusive validity of the deed, the prestige of the State and war and blood, the all-powerfulness of success and the pride of eminent fitness. Not indeed the mouth, but the silent feeling of Jesus answers this question by that other which is decisive in all things of religion-- What is actuality? For Pilate actuality was all; for him nothing. Were it anything, indeed, pure religiousness could never stand up against history and the powers of history... . "

  • wilma, padukone

    Fri, Mar 26 2021

    "Pilates will come and go but Jesus lasts forever" Thank you, Fr Joseph Martis for the good reflexion.

  • Sr. Felcy, Hassan.. Kuppepadav

    Thu, Mar 25 2021

    Heart touching article which is an inspiration to reflect during this season of lent. Thank you father for sharing your thoughts.

  • Andrew L D Cunha, Bejai

    Thu, Mar 25 2021

    The concluding para in this article makes us to reflect "the meeting of Jesus with Pilate is not over, it continues". Crucifixion of truth also continuously happening in front of us. Silent majority is participating in this crucifixion. Our silence and indifference is dangerous. Thank you father for this article.

  • john E Dsilva, mangalore

    Thu, Mar 25 2021

    Dear Father , it's an Inspiring and well written article. congratulations.

  • Jevita Pais, Bidar

    Thu, Mar 25 2021

    Thank you Father for the inspiring article.

  • Sequeira, O., Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 25 2021

    Excellent article similar to the film "Passion of Christ".

  • Sr Aurea D Souza, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Very good article,Fr Martis. May we learn to be silent as sign of our courage to Face Truth, not of our timidity which makes us escape facing Truth.

  • Sr S urekha, Silchar, Assam

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    An apt article for the season of Lent. Congratulations dear Fr Martis.

  • Sr Alice Serrao, Jeppu

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Father Joseph, very meaningful article and it is very apt for this Holy Week and for our daily life.

  • Rajeesh, kerala

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    An extraordinary reflection on Jesus and Pilate which opened new vistas of meaning. Congratulations dear Fr Martis for such a priceless reflection.

  • Joan, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Brilliantly written and good to contemplate in this Lenten season

  • John, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Well written, Also, God The Father on His Son's Passion and Death, and Faith must never settle on gloom but always on victory in a message to Maureen dated March 23, 2021 Public Once again, I (Maureen) see a Great Flame that I have come to know as the Heart of God the Father. He says: "Children, as you prepare for the coming of the celebration of Easter, let faith be the foundation of your joy. Pray to Mary, Protectress of the Faith and Refuge of Holy Love for assistance in your Eastertide* celebration. All the grief and sadness of Good Friday was gone on Easter morning. The atmosphere was quiet and calm. Silence was in the air instead of the chaos and noise of Good Friday. Allow your preparation to be a confident preparation for the day of joy that lies ahead." "Meditate on the grief of My Son's Passion and Death, but with an eye towards the joy that approaches. Be solemn in your preparation, but steadfast in your faith as the day of joy moves closer. Faith must never settle on gloom but always on victory." Read Acts 2:25-28+ For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' * Eastertide is the period of 50 days, spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. Liturgically the seven weeks beginning with the Easter vigil and extending to Pentecost Sunday - are known as the Easter season. It is celebrated as a single joyful feast. Ref: https://www.holylove.org/messages/

  • McQueen, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Very well written father Joseph Martis. Silence is sometimes a powerful weapon indeed.... Wishing you well

  • mabel and vincent mendonca, bendore mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    Dear Father, Great article and quite apt for this lenten seasons last days........ God bless you.

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 24 2021

    The writing is awsome and heart touching because the season and the reason is Jesus Christ, Son of of the Living God. Matthew 16:16. The crucifixion of Jesus was a real and historical as per the witneses from humans of the past. Jesus was with heavenly Father a truth revealed in John 17:5 ; 17:24 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Praise the Lord and His name be Glorified.


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