He was hard pressed, and he was letting himself be afflicted; yet he would not open his mouth. He was being brought just like a sheep to the slaughtering; and like a ewe that before her shearers has become mute, he also would not open his mouth.”

15. (a) When brought to trial, how was it true that Jesus was “mute,” like a ewe before her shearers? (b) Why did he choose this course?

¹⁵ When, finally, on trial for his earthly life, this “Lamb” refused to answer the false accusations of those witnessing against him. He remained “mute,” for he did not desire to say anything that would interfere with the carrying out of his heavenly Father’s will, as expressed, for instance, in Isaiah 53:5. He chose to let the public record that he had made for himself before the nation of Israel speak for itself. If his earthly judges did not choose to abide by this true and valid testimony, then the responsibility was theirs before the Supreme Judge, Jehovah God. They showed, however, that they would not be guided by the true facts, even if Jesus had broken his purposeful silence. He did not fight against dying like a slaughtered lamb for the redemption of all mankind from sin, sickness and death. He trusted in the power of Almighty God to resurrect him from the dead to life immortal.​—Matthew 26:65; Luke 23:8-11; John 19:8-11.