20 Bible Verses about Silence

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced [the objections of] the Sadducees, they gathered together [i.e., to continue plotting against Jesus. See verse 15].

Then He said to the Pharisees, "Is it permissible by the law of Moses to do something good, or something harmful on the Sabbath day? To save a life or to kill it?" But they did not reply.

And they were not able to get hold of anything Jesus said in front of the people. And they marveled at His answer and did not say anything [further].

And when they saw the healed man standing there with Peter and John, there was nothing they could say [to refute the obvious miracle].

Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here "the law" appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God's judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

Now the passage of Scripture he was reading said [Isa. 53:7ff], "He was led out to be slaughtered as a sheep; He made no sound, just like a lamb when it was being sheared.

But Jesus did not say anything. So, the head priest said to Him, "I command you [to swear] by the living God, [and] to tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one], the Son of God!"

But Jesus kept quiet and did not give them any answer. Again the head priest asked Him, "Are you the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one]?"

But He [again] made no reply, not even to a single charge, which caused the governor to be greatly amazed.

So, Pilate again asked Him, "Do you not have any answer? Look at how many charges they are bringing against you." But still Jesus gave no answer to anything, so that Pilate was amazed.

and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" But Jesus did not answer him.

So, he asked Him many questions, but Jesus did not respond to any [of them].

Jesus spoke sternly to him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him." And the evil spirit caused the man to have a convulsion, then shouted with a loud voice and came out of him.

Then Jesus spoke sternly to the evil spirit [in the man], saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him." And when the evil spirit had thrown the man down in front of them, it came out of him, without causing any harm.

He [immediately] awoke and spoke sternly to the wind and called out to the water, "Be peaceful and still." [Immediately] the wind stopped blowing and a great calm came over the water.

Then when the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. But the apostles kept quiet [about this incident], and did not tell anyone at that time about anything they had seen.

The whole crowd remained quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting on the [miraculous] signs and wonders God had performed among the Gentiles through them.

After the commotion died down, Paul sent for the [Ephesian] disciples and encouraged them before he left, [heading west] for Macedonia.