Christ might have spoken words to Herod that would have pierced the ears of the hardened king. He might have stricken him with fear and trembling by laying before him the full iniquity of his life, and the horror of his approaching doom. But Christ's silence was the severest rebuke that He could have given. Herod had rejected the truth spoken to him by the greatest of the prophets, and no other message was he to receive. Not a word had the Majesty of heaven for him. That ear that had ever been open to human woe, had no room for Herod's commands. Those eyes that had ever rested upon the penitent sinner in pitying, forgiving love had no look to bestow upon Herod. Those lips that had uttered the most impressive truth, that in tones of tenderest entreaty had pleaded with the most sinful and the most degraded, were closed to the haughty king who felt no need of a Saviour.

Kristus kunne have talt ord til Herodes, som ville have fået det til at ringe for den forhærdede konges øren. Han kunne have ramt ham med frygt og bæven ved at forelægge ham, hvor ugudeligt han levede, og hvor frygtelig en dom der ventede ham. Men Kristi tavshed var den hårdeste irettesættelse, han kunne have givet. Herodes havde forkastet den sandhed, der var blevet forkyndt ham af den største af alle profeter, og han skulle ikke have noget andet budskab. Ikke et ord værdigede Himmelens Majestæt ham. Det øre, som altid havde været åbent for menneskers smerte, ville ikke høre på Herodes befalinger. Disse øjne, der altid havde hvilet på den angrende synder med medlidende, tilgivende kærlighed, havde ikke et blik tilovers for den hovmodige konge, der ikke følte, at han trængte til en Frelser.