But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

MARK 15:5KJV
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Mark 15:5 (KJV)

What does Mark 15:5 mean?

Mark 15:5 describes Jesus standing before Pilate, the Roman governor, as accusations are made against him. Jesus gives no further reply, and his silence surprises Pilate. The verse draws attention to the unexpected contrast between the accusations and Jesus’ response.

Just before this, Pilate asked Jesus whether he heard the charges against him. Mark presents Jesus’ silence through Pilate’s reaction: the governor is struck by what happens before him.

The Greek behind Mark 15:5

  • “yet” — οὐκέτι (ouketi): The Greek carries the sense of “no longer” or “not any further.” It points to a change from an earlier reply: Jesus had already answered Pilate’s question in verse 2.
  • “marvelled” — θαυμάζω (thaumazō): The word can mean to wonder or be amazed. Here it describes Pilate’s strong surprise at Jesus’ silence.

Why Mark 15:5 matters

  • Jesus’ silence comes after he has spoken, not before he has said anything. In Mark 15:2, he answered Pilate’s question about whether he was the king of the Jews.
  • The silence follows accusations from the chief priests, the leading priests among Jesus’ accusers. Mark 15:3–4 places their charges and Pilate’s question immediately before Jesus’ lack of a further answer.
  • Pilate’s reaction gives weight to the silence in the scene. The KJV’s “so that Pilate marvelled” connects his surprise directly to Jesus’ response.

Where else these words appear

“yet” Greek G3765 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
  • John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
  • Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

“marvelled” Greek G2296 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • Luke 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
  • John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“so” Greek G5620 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.