“Are you not going to answer?” …
Note the ‘not’ in the Chief Priests question to Jesus. He does not say, ‘ are you going to answer?’ The Priest puts the ‘not’ in his challenge to emphasise Jesus self-silencing.
Jesus silences himself as he is no longer teaching out to a crowd in the Temple, or washing his disciples’ feet in an Upper Room, or healing wounded soldier in the Garden. He has prayed to his father and asked that his, this cup, be removed. But it is His Father’s will that Jesus holds, drinks from this earthly cup. Self-Silencing can be an isolating negative; it can be a step an addict or a person who has experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse takes to protect their heart and self.
I believe Jesus is following another principle in his self- silencing. But first let us look at the whole arrest narrative from Mark,
“They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Jesus here is silent because he will not answer, submit to questions that are lies. He self-silences so not to be touched by their words or questions. But then comes another question,
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you
Jesus answers ‘ I am.’ He answers this one question, the query on Jesus’ nature: he must answer, ‘I am.’ He speaks, answers only on this: he is God, I am.
The priest’s reaction; his clothes tearing and statement questions to the chosen audience confirms his and Jesus’ earthly fates: one can not see, listen or hear and one hears and sees all. Jesus speaks his unity his the cup, with his father, with us: he is the ‘I am.’ and so…
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
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