And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

MATTHEW 27:12KJV
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Matthew 27:12 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:12 mean?

Matthew 27:12 describes how Jesus, when accused by the chief priests and elders during his trial, chose not to respond or defend himself. The verse highlights Jesus’ silence in the face of serious accusations from the religious leaders.

In this scene, Jesus is standing before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, while the chief priests and elders present their charges against him. Instead of arguing back or trying to clear his name, Jesus remains quiet. This silence is striking because it shows a deliberate choice not to engage with his accusers, which would have been unusual in such a high-stakes situation.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:12

  • "ἐκατηγοροῦντο" (ekatēgorounto, "accused"): This word means to bring formal charges or accusations, often in a legal setting. It emphasizes that the religious leaders were not just criticizing Jesus but were officially charging him before the authorities.
  • "ἀπεκρίνατο οὐδέν" (apekrinato ouden, "answered nothing"): The phrase means Jesus gave no reply at all. The Greek here underlines the totality of his silence—he did not offer even a single word in his defense, which would have been unexpected in a trial context.

Why Matthew 27:12 matters

  • Matthew 27:12 clears up any idea that Jesus was simply passive or caught off guard; his silence is presented as a purposeful decision, not a result of confusion or fear.
  • The verse draws attention to the contrast between the aggressive accusations of the religious leaders and Jesus’ calm refusal to answer, which sets the tone for the rest of the trial narrative.
  • This moment connects to earlier prophecies about the Messiah being silent before his accusers, helping readers see how Jesus’ actions fit into a larger biblical story.

Where else these words appear

“accused” Greek G2723 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
  • Acts 24:19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

“elders” Greek G4245 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
  • Luke 20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
  • 1 Timothy 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

“priests” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
  • John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.