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Christ’s Trial Before the Roman Governor
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He also wanted to satisfy his curiosity and thought that if he offered
Christ a prospect of release, He would do anything that was asked
of Him.
When the Savior was brought in, the priests and elders excitedly
urged their accusations against Him. But Herod commanded silence.
He ordered that Jesus’ chains be removed, at the same time charging
His enemies with treating Him roughly. He as well as Pilate was
satisfied that Christ had been accused through hatred and envy.
Herod questioned Christ in many words, but the Savior kept a
profound silence. At the command of the king, the lame and maimed
were then called in, and Herod ordered Christ to prove His claim
by working a miracle. Jesus did not respond, and Herod continued
to urge: “Show us a sign that You have the power that rumor has
credited to You.” But the Son of God had taken upon Himself hu-
man nature, and He must do as we must do in like circumstances.
Therefore, He would not work a miracle to save Himself the pain
and humiliation that we must endure in a similar situation.
Herod promised that if Christ would perform some miracle, He
would be released. Fear came over Christ’s accusers that He would
now work a miracle. Such a manifestation would prove a deathblow
to their plans and might even cost them their lives. Raising their
voices, the priests and rulers declared, “He is a traitor, a blasphemer!
He works His miracles through the powers of the prince of devils!”
Herod’s conscience was now far less sensitive than when he had
trembled with horror at Herodias’s request for the head of John the
Baptist. His moral perceptions had become more and more degraded
by his self-indulgent, immoral life. He could even boast of the
punishment he had inflicted on John for daring to rebuke him. And
now he threatened Jesus, declaring that he had power to condemn
Him. But Jesus gave no indication that He heard a word.
Herod was irritated by this silence. It seemed to show complete
indifference to his authority. Again he angrily threatened Jesus, who
still remained unmoved and silent.
Christ’s mission was not to gratify idle curiosity. If He could
have spoken any word to heal sin-sick souls, He would not have
kept silent. But He had no words for those who trample truth under
their unholy feet. Herod had rejected the truth spoken to him by the
greatest of the prophets, and he was to receive no other message.