As Pilate questioned Jesus, the Roman governor marveled that Jesus did not answer questions, or try to defend himself. However, when Pilate spoke of the authority that he had, Jesus had to set him straight,

Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin” (John 19:10–11).

In silence Jesus made a powerful statement, causing a powerful man to question Jesus on His silence, but Pilate needed to know that his authority came not from Rome, but from heaven.

Oh, by the way, the next time someone tells you that all sin is alike, show them John 19:11 when Jesus told Pilate that he had greater sin than the Jewish leader who had delivered Jesus to Pilate.