When the Word did not Speak

“And when Herod saw Jesus... he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.” Luke 23:8–9

Among the many vignettes in the Passion’s history, this moment, Christ’s silence before Herod, is often passed over. But upon further reflection, it is a message-packed silence, a moment of spiritual weight, veiled in quiet. When Jesus “answered him nothing,” that silence was judgment.

From our first introduction to him in Matthew 2, Herod was known as a man given over to sensation, not truth. He had silenced the voice of John the Baptist, and now, in his boredom and pride, he sought Jesus. Not for mercy, but for marvels. He had heard many things about Jesus, and “he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.” That was his motive. It’s the only time in Scripture where we see Jesus completely refusing to speak when spoken to. When He stood before Pilate, He answered with few and measured words. Before Caiaphas, He bore testimony. Before the crowds, He preached and taught and warned. But before Herod Antipas, silence. He gave him no word. No sign. No wonder.

Why?

Because Herod’s heart had long been closed to grace. The silence was a sign of Herod’s reprobation, not Christ’s timidity. God had already spoken to him through John the baptist, who called him to repent. And what was his payment? Herod mocked him, imprisoned him, and then, in foolishness, killed him. Now God Incarnate stood before him. The final Word. And the Word was silent. Herod had exhausted the long suffering of heaven. This silence was full of finality.

This passage should make every heart tremble. It is possible for a person to so trifle with the truth that heaven has nothing more to say to him. Christ’s silence to Herod is loud. It’s a warning to every soul in proximity to the gospel. We ask, “Why is God silent to me?” But the better question may be: “What did I do with the last word He spoke?” When men mock grace and demand signs, Christ may respond with a judicial silence.

And yet, see how differently He treats the penitent thief, hours later. That dying man did not ask for a miracle, a reprieve, just mercy. He confesses his sin (Luke 23:41a), acknowledges Christ’s innocence (Luke 23:41b), and pleads for remembrance (Luke 23:42). And Jesus speaks to him the greatest words a dying man has ever heard: “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” One man, hardened in curiosity and pride, is met with silence. Another, broken and poor in spirit, receives paradise. Both men were equally close to Christ in proximity. But only one drew near in faith.

So, the silence of Jesus was purposeful, it is a mirror to the soul. Some will find in Jesus’ silence the echo of their own refusing. Still others will find that when they come in brokenness, He will speak.

There is one last thing. In this silence, Jesus bore the full force of Old Testament rejection. All the prophets before Him had been silenced in rejection. Now the final Prophet, the Word made flesh, gives no answer. With that silence, He fulfills the historic pattern. He became silent so that His cross could now speak. He was silent, so the voice of heaven could one day break open countless deaf ears. He held His peace in Herod’s court so that the cries of the redeemed might one day be heard in the courts above.

May we never treat God's Word casually. Also, let us not ask for signs. Let us not demand wonders. Let us draw thief-near...with a broken heart and open hands. For to that man, Christ still speaks.

Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Amen