ACC ~ Mark 15 v1 - 5

OVERVIEW:

Jesus’ silence attests his innocence, as sacrificial lamb (AUGUSTINE, EPHREM THE SYRIAN). So we are called to be patient with others when we are oppressed. The Lord’s patience does not extend interminably but looks toward the decisive verdict on the day of final judgment (CYPRIAN). Out of his human silence, woundedness and death come divine speech, healing and life (GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS).

15:4 | Have You No Answer? See How Many Charges They Bring Against You

PRACTICE OF PATIENCE AMID PERSECUTION

CYPRIAN: What great patience this is that he who is adored in heaven is not yet avenged on earth! Let us think of his patience, beloved brothers and sisters, in our persecutions and sufferings. Let us show forth the full obedience that is inspired by our expectation of his coming. Let us not hasten with the impious and shameless haste of a servant to defend ourselves before the Lord. Let us rather persevere and let us labor, and be watchful with all our heart and steadfast even to total resignation. Let us guard the precepts of the Lord, so that when the day of wrath and vengeance comes, [1] we may not be punished with the impious and sinners but may be honored with the just and those who fear God. THE GOOD OF PATIENCE 24. [2]

[1] Ezek 7:19; Zeph 1:14-18; Rev 6:17.

[2] Cetedoc 0048, 24.475; FC 36:287*. As God is patient with us in our rebelliousness, we are to be patient with others under conditions of trial and harassment, according to the pattern of Jesus under trial.

SILENT BEFORE HIS OPPRESSORS

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: A lamb, he is silent [1] —yet he is “word,” [2] proclaimed by “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” [3] He is weakened, wounded [4] —yet he cures every disease and every weakness. [5] He is brought up to the tree [6] and nailed to it [7] —yet by the tree of life he restores us. [8] ORATION 29, ON THE SON 20. [9]

[1] Is 53:7.

[2] Cf. Jn 1:1.

[3] Cf. Mt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4; Jn 1:23.

[4] Cf. Is 53:5.

[5] Cf. Mt 9:35.

[6] Cf. 1 Pet 2:24.

[7] Cf. Jn 19:17-18.

[8] Cf. Gen 2:9; 3:22; Rev 2:7.

[9] FGFR 259*; TLG 2022.009, 20.21-25.

15:5 | Jesus Made No Further Answer

VICTORY THROUGH SILENCE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: The Lord became the defender of truth, and came in silence before Pilate, on behalf of truth which had been oppressed. [1] Others gain victory through making defenses, but our Lord gained victory through his silence, because the recompense of his death through divine silence was the victory of true teaching. He spoke in order to teach, but kept silent in the tribunal. He was not silent over that which was exalting us, but he did not struggle against those who were provoking him. The words of his calumniators, like a crown on his head, were a source of redemption. He kept silent so that his silence would make them shout even louder, and so that his crown would be made more beautiful through all this clamor. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON. [2]

[1] Cf. Jn 18:37-38.

[2] CSCO 137:291; JSSS 2:301*.

THE LIMITS OF SILENCE

CYPRIAN: He is the One who, although he was silent in his passion, will not be silent finally in the day of reckoning. He is our God, even if unrecognized. He is already known among the faithful and all who believe. When he comes manifesting himself in his second coming, he will not be silent. For although he was formerly hidden in humility, he will come manifested in power. [1] THE GOOD OF PATIENCE 23. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 16:27; 5:31; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 1:7; 14:7.

[2] Cetedoc 0048, 23.462; FC 36:286**. He who was humble in his passion will come in his glory with power.

HIS MEEKNESS FULFILLED MESSIANIC PROPHECY

AUGUSTINE: This silence of our Lord Jesus Christ took place more than once. It occurred before the chief priest, and before Herod, and before Pilate himself. [1] So it was not in vain that the prophecy regarding him had preceded: “As the lamb before its shearer was dumb, so he opened not his mouth,” [2] especially on those occasions when he did not answer his questioners. Usually he replied to questions addressed to him, but in this case he declined to make any reply. The metaphor of the lamb is used to indicate that his silence does not imply guilt but innocence. When he did not open his mouth as he passed through the process of judgment, it was in the character of a lamb that he did so; that is, not as one with an evil conscience who was convicted of his sins, but as one who in his meekness was sacrificed for the sins of others. TRACTATES ON JOHN 116.4. [3]

[1] Cf. Mt 26:63; 27:14; Mk 14:61; 15:5; Lk 23:7-9; Jn 19:9.

[2] Is 53:7.

[3] Cetedoc 1278, 116.4.4; NPNF 1 7:426. His silence attests his innocence, in the manner of a sinless sacrificial lamb.