To this appeal Christ could not remain silent. There was a time to be silent, and a time to speak. He had not spoken until directly questioned. He knew that to answer now would make His death certain. But the appeal was made by the highest acknowledged authority of the nation, and in the name of the Most High. Christ would not fail to show proper respect for the law. More than this, His own relation to the Father was called in question. He must plainly declare His character and mission. 707 Jesus had said to His disciples, "Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven." Matt. 10:32. Now by His own example He repeated the lesson.

Kristus kunne ikke forholde sig tavs over for denne henvendelse. Der er en tid til at tie og en tid til at tale. Han havde ikke talt, før han blev direkte spurgt. Han vidste, at det ville blive den visse død for ham at svare; men dette spørgsmål blev stillet af folkets højeste anerkendte myndighed og i den Allerhøjestes navn. Kristus ville ikke undlade at vise den rette ærbødighed forloven, og desuden blev hans eget forhold til Faderen draget i tvivl. Han måtte tydeligt erklære, hvem han var, og hvorfor han var kommen. Jesus havde sagt til sine disciple: "Derfor, enhver, som kendes ved mig over for menneskene, ham vil også jeg kendes ved over for min Fader, som er i Himlene." Matt. 10,32. Nu gentog han denne lære ved sit eget eksempel.