Complete Works XVIII: Against Celsus I-IV (Lommatzsch)

...of a superior word, one that both makes false witness vanish and grants no persuasiveness to accusations, to the extent that they might have any power. Regarding Jesus, that he remained silent while falsely accused, it is sufficient for the present to cite the words of Matthew; for Mark wrote what is equivalent to him. The passage from Matthew reads as follows: "The original: "ὁ" high priest, and the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last, two came forward and said: This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.' And the high priest arose and said to him: 'Do you answer nothing? What is it that these testify against you?' But Jesus remained silent." Furthermore, that he did not answer original: "ἀπεκρίνατο" when accused, the following original: "τοιαῦτα" is written: "The original: "ὁ" Jesus stood original: "ἔστη" before the governor; and he asked him, saying, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' And Jesus said to him: 'You say so.' And while he was being accused by the high priests and elders, he answered nothing original: "οὐδὲν ἀπεκρίνατο". Then Pilate said to him: 'Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?' And he did not answer him to any word, so that the governor marveled greatly."

2. For original: "γάρ" it was worthy of wonder, even among those capable of thinking with some moderation, that the one being accused

1) See Matthew 26:59–62, along with other editions.
2) Royal Codex: "he was answering."
3) Spencer editions: "it is written that he, being accused, answered nothing."
4) See Matthew 27:11–14.
5) Royal Codex: "he stood." Others: "he was placed." Spencer editions have "he was placed" in the text, but "he stood" in the margin.
6) Royal Codex: "he was answering."
7) The Royal Codex omits: "for."