Silent Before His Accusers
Isaiah 53:7 foretold the Lamb-like silence of the Servant at His trial.
Isaiah said the Servant would be brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. Matthew records that before Pilate, Jesus answered never a word.
The Prophecy
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
The Fulfillment
"And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing...And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly."
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
The lamb's silence
Christ's silence before His accusers was not weakness but fulfillment — He was the Lamb of God going voluntarily to slaughter for our sins.
An example for believers
Peter draws practical instruction from this prophecy: when reviled, believers commit themselves to the righteous Judge rather than retaliate.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jesus silent at His trial?
To fulfill Isaiah 53:7 — and because His Father's will, not human verdicts, governed His path to the cross.
Did Jesus answer no one at His trials?
He spoke when truth required (Matthew 26:64; John 18:37), but offered no defense against false accusations — fulfilling Isaiah 53:7.
What does this teach believers?
1 Peter 2:21-23 holds it up as our pattern: when reviled, entrust yourself to the righteous Judge rather than retaliate.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
Christ wounded for our transgressions — fulfilled at Calvary.
Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion
David's psalm reads like an eyewitness account of Calvary.
The Messiah Rejected by His Own
Isaiah foretold a despised Messiah; John records that His own received Him not.
Hated Without a Cause
Christ applied Psalm 35:19 and 69:4 directly to the world's hatred against Him.
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