These images prophetically foreshadow events during the hearings or “trials” of Jesus before Jewish and Roman leaders. While being accused and interrogated by the chief priests and Pilate, Jesus gave no answer (Mark 15:3; John 19:9), and while standing before Herod Antipas, Jesus answered him nothing (Luke 23:9). When the time came for Jesus to be brought as a lamb to the slaughter, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8) opened not his mouth—just as a sheep is dumb, or mute, in the hands of the shearers.